What do you think?
Rate this book
Jigsaw #1
Beginnings
They're high school students off to Italy for a good time. Transported in time to WWII, can they stop a secret, military project that will change the course of history?
High school history buffs Noah Patterson and Mariah Fischer can't wait to get to Italy. Their plan? To explore as much as they can and have loads of fun. What they face, however, is mind blowing when they get shot at by the Italian Black Brigade. Why? Not because they want them dead, but because the Black Brigade ceased to exist after World War II.
Running for their lives, they quickly realize that they’ve somehow been transported to Italy, circa 1943. But how?
Humiliated by defeat and rescued by Hitler, Mussolini plans to win the war at all cost. Pushing forward relentlessly, he has a secret weapon: teleportation. But a failed experiment with the device draws Noah and Mariah back in time. Now they must find a way to stop Mussolini’s “New Roman Empire” and return to the present they know—if it’s still there.
The fight for reality starts now...
Jigsaw Beginnings is a young adult, time travel sci-fi series perfect for action and adventure enthusiasts.
High school history buffs Noah Patterson and Mariah Fischer can't wait to get to Italy. Their plan? To explore as much as they can and have loads of fun. What they face, however, is mind blowing when they get shot at by the Italian Black Brigade. Why? Not because they want them dead, but because the Black Brigade ceased to exist after World War II.
Running for their lives, they quickly realize that they’ve somehow been transported to Italy, circa 1943. But how?
Humiliated by defeat and rescued by Hitler, Mussolini plans to win the war at all cost. Pushing forward relentlessly, he has a secret weapon: teleportation. But a failed experiment with the device draws Noah and Mariah back in time. Now they must find a way to stop Mussolini’s “New Roman Empire” and return to the present they know—if it’s still there.
The fight for reality starts now...
Jigsaw Beginnings is a young adult, time travel sci-fi series perfect for action and adventure enthusiasts.
- GenresScience Fiction
202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2021
28 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
David Alyn Gordon
29 books37 followersI have been a social studies teacher, principal, and founding owner of the Grand Canyon College Preparatory Academy in Tempe, Arizona. I grew up reading and watching science and historical fiction. I am also a big baseball fan. I have combined my various passions in the Jigsaw series, which focuses on time-traveling teens thrust into major historical events—many of which never made the standard history books. I was born in New York and now live in Arizona with the love of my life Gwyn. We are both are dog people, and enjoy travel and food—Italian, Asian, Middle Eastern and Indian cuisines in particular.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
September 6, 2021
Highly entertaining YA time travel sci-fi story.
This is a fast-paced story that I’ve read in one sitting. Although it targets young adult readers, I found the plot highly entertaining.
The story took place in 2017 and 1943/1944.
In 2017, a group of graduates, 3 boys, 3 girls, and their teachers, traveled to Italy. What looked like a fun trip at first turned out to be a real adventure, especially for some of them. Mariah and Noah stood out among the characters. And not because there were emotionally involved. Well, a love story is not excluded, but their role went beyond that.
In 1943, under Mussolini’s military surveillance, scientists invented and put the time machine in function. In WWII, the time machine had a central place in the story, which was meant to be used for military purposes. Here we met Mariah and Noah again under the code names of Mona and Bernini. How was that possible? Oh, no? Did they travel back in time? Apparently, they did. But how? It came as a surprise to both of them as well as the reader. To survive under war conditions, they decided to play along as USA agents. The entire time they spent in the past, they tried not to reveal information about WWII that could alter the future of the events as they were. “History can’t be rewritten,” they said. And they were right.
Full of twists and turns, the story makes you wonder what will follow next. As this was the first installment in a trilogy, I look forward to reading the other two.
This is a fast-paced story that I’ve read in one sitting. Although it targets young adult readers, I found the plot highly entertaining.
The story took place in 2017 and 1943/1944.
In 2017, a group of graduates, 3 boys, 3 girls, and their teachers, traveled to Italy. What looked like a fun trip at first turned out to be a real adventure, especially for some of them. Mariah and Noah stood out among the characters. And not because there were emotionally involved. Well, a love story is not excluded, but their role went beyond that.
In 1943, under Mussolini’s military surveillance, scientists invented and put the time machine in function. In WWII, the time machine had a central place in the story, which was meant to be used for military purposes. Here we met Mariah and Noah again under the code names of Mona and Bernini. How was that possible? Oh, no? Did they travel back in time? Apparently, they did. But how? It came as a surprise to both of them as well as the reader. To survive under war conditions, they decided to play along as USA agents. The entire time they spent in the past, they tried not to reveal information about WWII that could alter the future of the events as they were. “History can’t be rewritten,” they said. And they were right.
Full of twists and turns, the story makes you wonder what will follow next. As this was the first installment in a trilogy, I look forward to reading the other two.
September 30, 2021
What would you do if you had the ability to end one of the worst periods of human history? But you can't because history can't be changed or can it? What starts as a school trip to Italy becomes an adventure back to Fascist Italy and experiments that could have changed the war and the world. Noah and Mariah have the trip of a lifetime and an adventure that has life changing implications for the past and the future. There is more to the Renaissance Academy than meets the eye. Not your typical time travel story, you have to pay attention as everything gets a bit confusing but it is an adventure worth taking. I am looking forward to the next adventure!
October 29, 2021
I really enjoyed Jigsaw Beginnings. It is the story of two young people taking a trip to Italy who suddenly find themselves transported back to 1943! They try to fit in to their roles in the past.
First, this book is exciting! There is a lot going on during the Mussolini regime, and it was interesting to see the main characters trying to play their roles without letting anyone know they were from the future, and thereby changing it.
Second, the characters were written well, with their own unique personalities. Even some of the more minor characters (and historical figures!) were interesting in their own right.
Another fun aspect of this book was trying to wrap my mind around time travel. Can the past be changed? If so, should it be? There's a lot to think about in addition to enjoying a good story.
I'm glad this is a trilogy, and will be starting the next book right away!
First, this book is exciting! There is a lot going on during the Mussolini regime, and it was interesting to see the main characters trying to play their roles without letting anyone know they were from the future, and thereby changing it.
Second, the characters were written well, with their own unique personalities. Even some of the more minor characters (and historical figures!) were interesting in their own right.
Another fun aspect of this book was trying to wrap my mind around time travel. Can the past be changed? If so, should it be? There's a lot to think about in addition to enjoying a good story.
I'm glad this is a trilogy, and will be starting the next book right away!
February 13, 2023
I have to admit this book is not what I thought it was from the title, but for good reason.
The first part of the book captivated me. It drew my interest straightaway to keep me reading. For around one-third, the plot hops back and forth between the modern era and the war period, where the characters are transported into. I am a fan of jumping narratives for storytelling. Although it doesn't work for every book, it works here. I also appreciate relevant historical facts and how they are worked into the story, which goes for a refreshing take on their objective for history changing.
There are two twists that I didn't see coming in the story; I appreciate the first one but still struggle with the reasoning and the necessity of the second. I am not into the modern era of the story because the young adult's interactions feel jaggy and unnatural. It's hard for me to get into and root for the characters because some of the connections and relationships felt forced or rushed into. There are good moments, but there could be more.
Sometimes, it feels like the book is trying to tackle too many things with too few words that both significant parts of the story, plot and characters, don't have time to shine and are just moving along. Overall, I think the story idea is solid, and the author creates an intriguing theory about time travel to the past.
3.5 stars rounded up
The first part of the book captivated me. It drew my interest straightaway to keep me reading. For around one-third, the plot hops back and forth between the modern era and the war period, where the characters are transported into. I am a fan of jumping narratives for storytelling. Although it doesn't work for every book, it works here. I also appreciate relevant historical facts and how they are worked into the story, which goes for a refreshing take on their objective for history changing.
There are two twists that I didn't see coming in the story; I appreciate the first one but still struggle with the reasoning and the necessity of the second. I am not into the modern era of the story because the young adult's interactions feel jaggy and unnatural. It's hard for me to get into and root for the characters because some of the connections and relationships felt forced or rushed into. There are good moments, but there could be more.
Sometimes, it feels like the book is trying to tackle too many things with too few words that both significant parts of the story, plot and characters, don't have time to shine and are just moving along. Overall, I think the story idea is solid, and the author creates an intriguing theory about time travel to the past.
3.5 stars rounded up
October 8, 2021
This is such a unique story line! I loved that it was based in WWII and I did not see what was going to happen in the end! You get a lesson in history with lots of intrigue. Makes you wonder if something like this actually happened and if we could do this - the possibilities are scary. Looking forward to reading more of this series.
October 20, 2021
This was a great little adventure. it is more about Teenagers but was still entertaining. There is travel to Italy and back in time. There is a little romance. Time machine and intrigue
I do plan on reading the next one soon.
I do plan on reading the next one soon.
December 21, 2022
Jigsaw: Beginnings is a time-travel story where a couple of teens on a school trip to Italy get transported back in time to WWII. The story had ups and downs, but I found the middle part especially to be fast-paced and interesting.
The story starts with the students preparing for the trip and I found the first few chapters where they're preparing and when they first get to Italy to be kind of boring and confusing. These first chapters were full of names of streets and restaurants and tourist attractions and stuff, which all went by too fast to be really meaningful and felt more like an itinerary than an actual story. Once we get to the time-travel, though, the story really picks up and I really got into it.
Most of the action is centered around one major location/town, which helps make it easier to follow, but two things frustrated my efforts to follow the story, especially near the end. First of all, it relied a lot on dialogue instead of description, which can get confusing. Secondly, there were a lot of characters and many of them had code-names so by the time we got to the big action at the end I found myself not quite following who was doing what or who was who. I really think the story would have benefitted from taking more time to focus on and describe the characters and give them a bit more individuality so that it would be easier to follow.
The ending wrapped everything up and provided enough interesting threads to lead the way into the rest of the series, but there was a twist at the end that I feel needed to be explored a bit more. Maybe an extra chapter or two to really figure out the effects of a certain decision on the people's families and futures, etc. Also, looking back and trying to think through the dizzying time-travel conundrums and considering all the various different people that were involved in getting things moving I'm not really sure that the story hinged on the specific involvement of the two students themselves - it felt like it could have been anyone doing what they did and at the same time I never felt that they were doing anything because they were who they were or of their own free will. The book also didn't focus enough on their own personal growth as characters so I was left feeling at the end that the presence of certain other characters who seemed a lot more in control of everything kind of took way from the effectiveness of the story being told.
Still, the twist at the end was interesting, for sure, and there's a lot of potential here. I think with a bit more experience behind him the author could be telling some amazing time-travel stories. And the middle part of the story was very interesting. Definitely check it out if you love time-travel stories.
The story starts with the students preparing for the trip and I found the first few chapters where they're preparing and when they first get to Italy to be kind of boring and confusing. These first chapters were full of names of streets and restaurants and tourist attractions and stuff, which all went by too fast to be really meaningful and felt more like an itinerary than an actual story. Once we get to the time-travel, though, the story really picks up and I really got into it.
Most of the action is centered around one major location/town, which helps make it easier to follow, but two things frustrated my efforts to follow the story, especially near the end. First of all, it relied a lot on dialogue instead of description, which can get confusing. Secondly, there were a lot of characters and many of them had code-names so by the time we got to the big action at the end I found myself not quite following who was doing what or who was who. I really think the story would have benefitted from taking more time to focus on and describe the characters and give them a bit more individuality so that it would be easier to follow.
The ending wrapped everything up and provided enough interesting threads to lead the way into the rest of the series, but there was a twist at the end that I feel needed to be explored a bit more. Maybe an extra chapter or two to really figure out the effects of a certain decision on the people's families and futures, etc. Also, looking back and trying to think through the dizzying time-travel conundrums and considering all the various different people that were involved in getting things moving I'm not really sure that the story hinged on the specific involvement of the two students themselves - it felt like it could have been anyone doing what they did and at the same time I never felt that they were doing anything because they were who they were or of their own free will. The book also didn't focus enough on their own personal growth as characters so I was left feeling at the end that the presence of certain other characters who seemed a lot more in control of everything kind of took way from the effectiveness of the story being told.
Still, the twist at the end was interesting, for sure, and there's a lot of potential here. I think with a bit more experience behind him the author could be telling some amazing time-travel stories. And the middle part of the story was very interesting. Definitely check it out if you love time-travel stories.
June 26, 2022
A Fun Read
There is much to like about Beginnings by David Alyn Gordon. From its first page to its last, it is obvious that the author is passionate about WWII history and had fun creating a fast-paced YA novel (the first in the Jigsaw series) that is both entertaining and educational. The novel too is planned well with a time travel plot that follows the adventures of young adults who find that their senior class trip to Italy will take them much farther than they expected - from 2017 to 1943. I am not surprised that the author was once a social studies teacher. He manages to create fictional teenaged characters who are both realistic and sympathetic though the use of humor and natural sounding dialogue that should appeal to a YA reader.
Still, I found the fictional adult characters, many of whom are scientists testing the limits of time travel with a project called Jigsaw, less well drawn. Morally ambiguous and cowardly, I thought them unconvincing antagonists. The historical figures, namely Hitler, Mussolini, and Franco, too are unconvincing. They are more like buffoons than the psychopathic dictators that history has proven them to be. In addition, I thought the novel's prose style, though clear and careful, rather flat. The descriptions rarely helped recreate the world of WWII Italy.
However, as an woman of a certain age, I am clearly not the novel's ideal reader. In fact, I suspect young adults would enjoy its characters and style much more than I, as well they should. Beginnings is simply a fun read.
There is much to like about Beginnings by David Alyn Gordon. From its first page to its last, it is obvious that the author is passionate about WWII history and had fun creating a fast-paced YA novel (the first in the Jigsaw series) that is both entertaining and educational. The novel too is planned well with a time travel plot that follows the adventures of young adults who find that their senior class trip to Italy will take them much farther than they expected - from 2017 to 1943. I am not surprised that the author was once a social studies teacher. He manages to create fictional teenaged characters who are both realistic and sympathetic though the use of humor and natural sounding dialogue that should appeal to a YA reader.
Still, I found the fictional adult characters, many of whom are scientists testing the limits of time travel with a project called Jigsaw, less well drawn. Morally ambiguous and cowardly, I thought them unconvincing antagonists. The historical figures, namely Hitler, Mussolini, and Franco, too are unconvincing. They are more like buffoons than the psychopathic dictators that history has proven them to be. In addition, I thought the novel's prose style, though clear and careful, rather flat. The descriptions rarely helped recreate the world of WWII Italy.
However, as an woman of a certain age, I am clearly not the novel's ideal reader. In fact, I suspect young adults would enjoy its characters and style much more than I, as well they should. Beginnings is simply a fun read.
November 21, 2021
David Gordon’s Jigsaw: Beginnings is a young adult fiction that uncovers two high school students, Noah and Mariah, set for a school trip to Italy. What was expected to be a pleasant event turns to shock when the two teens find themselves teleported back in time to Italy in the WWII period. Stuck in this situation, they are forced to intervene in Mussolini’s nefarious plan in recrafting history. The author Gordon blends narratives and perspectives that represent the present (yr 2017) with the past (1943). With each POV, readers are able to situate themselves in the timelines. Despite being fiction, readers are able to learn about the history of Italy during the WWII period through its characters. In short, it’s a fusion of science fiction and historical fiction. The primary issue that this book is bogged down with is dialogue, which can be very gratuitous and detrimental to the reader's experiences. There were episodes in the earlier chapters for instance where dialogue inundated the majority of the scenes, with little to no detail to setting experience. The secondary issue extends to jumping from one perspective to another when it comes to chapters, making it difficult for me or possible readers in knowing whose character perspective is being followed. Overall, despite these faults, Jigsaw is still a pleasant read.
February 21, 2023
Rating: 3.5.
Beginnings is a time-travel sci-fi adventure with settings ranging from the present, to the future, to the past. The seed of the conflict comes from experiments in teleportation conducted by Italian scientists working for Mussolini during World War II. The fascist dictator believes teleportation will be his secret weapon to win the war. During a failed teleportation experiment, two American students touring modern-day Italy on a school trip are pulled back into World War II Italy. The students become involved in the Italian resistance as they try to figure out how to return to their own time.
As with most time-travel stories, Beginnings raises questions about the interaction of the past with the future and the future with the past. A sub-plot for instance involves an attempt to change the past by killing one of the students in the present before he can be pulled back into the past. I found the scenes about the present and future to be less compelling than the scenes set in World War II Italy. Fortunately, most of the story is set in the past. I'm also not a fan of time-travel stories. If you enjoy time-travel, Beginnings may be an interesting read for you.
Beginnings is a time-travel sci-fi adventure with settings ranging from the present, to the future, to the past. The seed of the conflict comes from experiments in teleportation conducted by Italian scientists working for Mussolini during World War II. The fascist dictator believes teleportation will be his secret weapon to win the war. During a failed teleportation experiment, two American students touring modern-day Italy on a school trip are pulled back into World War II Italy. The students become involved in the Italian resistance as they try to figure out how to return to their own time.
As with most time-travel stories, Beginnings raises questions about the interaction of the past with the future and the future with the past. A sub-plot for instance involves an attempt to change the past by killing one of the students in the present before he can be pulled back into the past. I found the scenes about the present and future to be less compelling than the scenes set in World War II Italy. Fortunately, most of the story is set in the past. I'm also not a fan of time-travel stories. If you enjoy time-travel, Beginnings may be an interesting read for you.
July 6, 2022
A group of high school students from a rather exclusive private high school get to go to Italy on a school trip. They come over as fairly typical teens - the girls being more interested in fashion and shopping than the history and culture - and we have a case of awkward unrequited love. Then things go off in a strange direction when the teens find themselves suddenly back in the past and fighting to prevent Mussolini, Franco and Hitler from using a new scientific breakthrough to win WWII, and the real story starts.
I liked the presentation of the teens and their banter which made them seem very realistic and the pace of the story was breakneck and exciting throughout - sometimes maybe a bit too much so for me, but for a YA reader, I suspect that would be gripping. It was well written in an easily readable style, which certainly helped make it flow well.
For me where the book fell down was in the graphic brutality, which seemed to me to be overplayed though I am sure is historically accurate and in the incredibly complicated explanations for the time travel and its impact upon the characters. I think that is something which many YA readers would be as baffled by as I was. It left the impression of the story trying to be a bit too clever.
However, overall this is a great YA action romp which should appeal to that readership immensely.
I liked the presentation of the teens and their banter which made them seem very realistic and the pace of the story was breakneck and exciting throughout - sometimes maybe a bit too much so for me, but for a YA reader, I suspect that would be gripping. It was well written in an easily readable style, which certainly helped make it flow well.
For me where the book fell down was in the graphic brutality, which seemed to me to be overplayed though I am sure is historically accurate and in the incredibly complicated explanations for the time travel and its impact upon the characters. I think that is something which many YA readers would be as baffled by as I was. It left the impression of the story trying to be a bit too clever.
However, overall this is a great YA action romp which should appeal to that readership immensely.
November 16, 2021
An interesting mash-up of historical fiction, science fiction, and world saving time-traveling action. Some really beautiful descriptions of Italy with great attention to detail- really captured the feel of the place, the sun-drenched sleepy streets… all of that made for some lovely narrative flourishes.
The story could have used a little more editing - it had a number of extraneous words and some repetition in places. I also could have done without dialogue from Hitler as well- felt jarring and not necessary to plot. The romance elements fell flat as well. I did enjoy the surprise twists (no spoilers) and the writer has clearly spent a lot of time on his research.
The story could have used a little more editing - it had a number of extraneous words and some repetition in places. I also could have done without dialogue from Hitler as well- felt jarring and not necessary to plot. The romance elements fell flat as well. I did enjoy the surprise twists (no spoilers) and the writer has clearly spent a lot of time on his research.
September 26, 2021
I enjoyed reading the first book in the Jigsaw series by David Alyn Gordon. Jigsaw Beginnings is a time-travel story for YA audiences with a historical fiction theme: WWII. And it is a puzzle indeed. A mind-twisting, paradoxical puzzle that will leave you breathless. During a class trip to Italy, 2 of the students, Noah and Mariah, get an up-close and personal experience of the country during World War II. In 1943 Italy, Mussolini is desperate to turn the tides of the war. He puts the scientists to work on a secret weapon: teleportation. In one failed experiment, Noah and Mariah are transported from 2017 to 1944, and one heck of a history lesson! The paradoxes are just beginning when we they meet themselves as characters in 1944: Bernini and Mona. Whoa! What’s happening? Read to find out if they can change the course of history and would they want to? As an aside, this book could have used some better editing; small errors here and there add up.
January 10, 2022
I'm glad there are more books in the series because by the time I got to the end, I definitely wanted to keep turning the page. The twists and turns this story takes, makes for a fascinating read imo. Everytime I thought I knew for sure who would survive until the end, I was surprised by the events.
The author does a great job of keeping the story moving along, especially with all of the action scenes packed in. I look forward to the next book in the trilogy.
The author does a great job of keeping the story moving along, especially with all of the action scenes packed in. I look forward to the next book in the trilogy.
July 5, 2022
Interesting idea. People from the future, with a vested interest in history, travel back and forth in time to make sure other factions don’t alter history with their interference. The premise is that many groups, both good and evil, possess this time travel technology. The evil groups would change history to their advantage, while the good groups work to be sure nothing in history is changed. Hitler cannot win WWII. Julius Caesar cannot survive the attack on him in the senate. 9/11 cannot be undone. Events that have happened must unfold as they did originally. While this is an interesting spin on the time travel device in literature, for me, the book was a bit confusing. There were a few plot holes that were poorly explained away, again, in my opinion.
Even though this is a book intended for YA audiences, the writing seemed to lack the sophistication that most YA books achieve. As with all reviews, this is opinion, and should be taken as such. If you enjoy books about time travel and history, this could be just the book you’re looking for.
Even though this is a book intended for YA audiences, the writing seemed to lack the sophistication that most YA books achieve. As with all reviews, this is opinion, and should be taken as such. If you enjoy books about time travel and history, this could be just the book you’re looking for.
June 11, 2023
A fast paced, easy reading YA novel (and first in a series) that I received for free from the author through Voracious Readers Only. The story involves two teenagers on a school sponsored trip to Italy that find themselves transported back to 1943 Fascist Italy. They quickly end up in the middle of resistance activities and are involved in exciting and dangerous activities throughout the book. As the story progresses there are several unexpected twist. The writing was good and I definitely enjoyed the story. I have always gravitated toward a story with a time traveling element. It is likely I will read other books in the series.
December 16, 2024
An OK read!
December 7, 2021
A history- and action-packed time-travel fantasy.
"Jigsaw - Beginnings" is a surprising teenage story about time travel that combines action and educational elements. With clear gusto for Italian culture and food, the author paints a fantasy full of twists and turns that follows some teenagers who suddenly find themselves back in WWII-torn Italy. The story is very lively, original and also brings some lesser-known historical facts to light.
I have to add that the somewhat clunky dialogues and intents at humor did not always convince me. For example, it seemed odd that one of the biggest concerns after time travel would be to find that the bad guys put Pinocchio on their propaganda posters.
In summary, this is a fun read for teenage action story lovers with a high-school level of interest in history.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review.
"Jigsaw - Beginnings" is a surprising teenage story about time travel that combines action and educational elements. With clear gusto for Italian culture and food, the author paints a fantasy full of twists and turns that follows some teenagers who suddenly find themselves back in WWII-torn Italy. The story is very lively, original and also brings some lesser-known historical facts to light.
I have to add that the somewhat clunky dialogues and intents at humor did not always convince me. For example, it seemed odd that one of the biggest concerns after time travel would be to find that the bad guys put Pinocchio on their propaganda posters.
In summary, this is a fun read for teenage action story lovers with a high-school level of interest in history.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review.
September 8, 2021
Jigsaw: Beginnings by David Alyn Gordon is an absorbing and dangerous time travel novel landing a couple of students in Italy during World War II. The entire group was on a school tour of Italy when two of them, Mariah and Noah, spy a resistance armband on the ground, in perfect condition. Moments later they are surrounded by a bright light and transported back to the dangerous time around World War II where their adventures began. Beginnings was violent and real: people died, and it was not on a battlefield. It was in a lab and on the street and in front of a firing squad. It was raw and rough, a true portrayal of the time and of the people who put themselves at risk for a cause. For Mariah and Noah it took history out of the classroom and into their lives, an unparalleled experience, making the chance of glamorizing war a forgotten memory. It is a book not to be missed.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Jigsaw: Beginnings by the author. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Jigsaw: Beginnings by the author. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
Read
February 2, 2023Good YA Series
I was going to savage this book, and then realized that it's classified YA; for young adults. Its a perfectly good YA novel, appropriate for the minds of children, with non-graphic violence, "clean" teen romance and plenty of adventure and excitement. As victims of Nazi Germany - and the many other fascist nations - die off, its important that young people learn about them and the trials and tragedies which they faced.
I was going to savage this book, and then realized that it's classified YA; for young adults. Its a perfectly good YA novel, appropriate for the minds of children, with non-graphic violence, "clean" teen romance and plenty of adventure and excitement. As victims of Nazi Germany - and the many other fascist nations - die off, its important that young people learn about them and the trials and tragedies which they faced.
April 12, 2022
Fiction is an engaging way to bring history to life. Some historical novels are nothing more than romances set in a specific era; but not this novel. This author puts the focus on history, specifically war-torn Italy. Don't suppose that the novel is another WWII mystery. There is nothing "typical" in this plot. It is an original story that I could not put down.
Let me describe what I experienced.
In "Jigsaw Beginnings" my interest was sparked immediately. I felt as if I had been invited to join Mariah, Noah, Connor, Lillian and faculty advisor, Mr. Cohen, on a trip for recent high school graduates. The group was supposed to tour Italy, visiting famed historical sites. Each of the students had aspirations for the future; however, those futures changed dramatically.
Puzzle pieces were introduced throughout the chapters. Peculiar, brief encounters began to occur. On one such encounter, Mariah and Noah were approached by an elderly woman, dressed in black. She went directly to their outdoor dining table and insisted that Mariah was Mona, and Noah was Bernini. When the woman became overwrought, she was taken away by her great granddaughter. Eventually, the students came to be known by the names Mona and Bernini.
Part of solving any good jigsaw puzzle should be studying the pieces. With that in mind, I don't want to spoil another reader's adventure. However, I found that time travel and teleportation were handled in a convincing manner. The story line was packed with believable situations, such as: the rescue of a Jewish parent and children, hiding in a Catholic church, joining the resistance movement, attacking Corvo Laboratory, and experimenting with teleportation.
Throughout the novel a secondary plot provided romantic interest. The choices made came as a surprise to me.
In conclusion, all the loose pieces did fit together and the ending provided a surprise reappearance of -- Isn't it better if I don't tell you?
Let me describe what I experienced.
In "Jigsaw Beginnings" my interest was sparked immediately. I felt as if I had been invited to join Mariah, Noah, Connor, Lillian and faculty advisor, Mr. Cohen, on a trip for recent high school graduates. The group was supposed to tour Italy, visiting famed historical sites. Each of the students had aspirations for the future; however, those futures changed dramatically.
Puzzle pieces were introduced throughout the chapters. Peculiar, brief encounters began to occur. On one such encounter, Mariah and Noah were approached by an elderly woman, dressed in black. She went directly to their outdoor dining table and insisted that Mariah was Mona, and Noah was Bernini. When the woman became overwrought, she was taken away by her great granddaughter. Eventually, the students came to be known by the names Mona and Bernini.
Part of solving any good jigsaw puzzle should be studying the pieces. With that in mind, I don't want to spoil another reader's adventure. However, I found that time travel and teleportation were handled in a convincing manner. The story line was packed with believable situations, such as: the rescue of a Jewish parent and children, hiding in a Catholic church, joining the resistance movement, attacking Corvo Laboratory, and experimenting with teleportation.
Throughout the novel a secondary plot provided romantic interest. The choices made came as a surprise to me.
In conclusion, all the loose pieces did fit together and the ending provided a surprise reappearance of -- Isn't it better if I don't tell you?
November 29, 2022
In this novel, a group of modern American teenagers take a trip to Europe. While there, two are pulled from their timeline and teleported back to Italy during World War Two. Why Italy during WWII? Because that is where (and when) the teleportation technology is being invented. A team of captive scientists has the teleportation project in its final stages of development. The technology is working very well considering how revolutionary it is, and if it reaches completion, the axis powers will have a tool the free world will have no answer for.
Two American Teenagers, Noah and Mariah, are dropped right in the middle of this scenario and quickly find that they will have to get involved in solving it.
This is a book aimed at a teenage audience - maybe even a teenage audience that is skeptical about novel-reading. The book is short. The prose is unadorned, and the plot points move very quickly. This is an extremely simplified World War Two espionage thriller merged with an extremely simplified time travel/teleportation story, involving extremely simplified versions of American teenagers. It appears to be the first in a series. To be fair, when I was a VERY young reader, I used to read “Alfred Hitchcock presents: The Three Investigators”; I’m sure I would have liked this series better if it had been around back then - AH! A new mission for the time travel/teleportation team. Old man grumpiness aside, good luck with the project!
Two American Teenagers, Noah and Mariah, are dropped right in the middle of this scenario and quickly find that they will have to get involved in solving it.
This is a book aimed at a teenage audience - maybe even a teenage audience that is skeptical about novel-reading. The book is short. The prose is unadorned, and the plot points move very quickly. This is an extremely simplified World War Two espionage thriller merged with an extremely simplified time travel/teleportation story, involving extremely simplified versions of American teenagers. It appears to be the first in a series. To be fair, when I was a VERY young reader, I used to read “Alfred Hitchcock presents: The Three Investigators”; I’m sure I would have liked this series better if it had been around back then - AH! A new mission for the time travel/teleportation team. Old man grumpiness aside, good luck with the project!
December 14, 2022
Fun, YA time travelling adventure
Beginnings tells the story of two high school students, Noah and Mariah, who go on a school trip to Italy in 2017 and end up travelling back in time to WWII.
There is plenty of action. The pacing is generally good, but it does take a long time to get started – Noah and Mariah arrive in 1943 after about a quarter of the book. In that first quarter, there are some cleverly laid breadcrumbs that are later referenced, but also extended dialogue with lots of characters that we never see again.
If you push through the first quarter, you’ll find a clever book full of twists and turns. It’s so mind spinning, that I got lost right at the end with the final twist, but overall, I think the tricky time travelling element was done well. It’s the type of book you read twice, knowing what you know at the end 😊
The two main characters, Noah and Mariah, are mainly likeable, but at times their dialogue and emotions are a bit flat, especially considering the horrors they are witnessing. There are a wide range of supporting characters - I found these tricky to keep track of given most of them have code names as well as real names.
There is violence and swearing in the book.
Overall, I think the book will appeal to YAs looking for an action-packed, historical based, time travelling adventure.
Beginnings tells the story of two high school students, Noah and Mariah, who go on a school trip to Italy in 2017 and end up travelling back in time to WWII.
There is plenty of action. The pacing is generally good, but it does take a long time to get started – Noah and Mariah arrive in 1943 after about a quarter of the book. In that first quarter, there are some cleverly laid breadcrumbs that are later referenced, but also extended dialogue with lots of characters that we never see again.
If you push through the first quarter, you’ll find a clever book full of twists and turns. It’s so mind spinning, that I got lost right at the end with the final twist, but overall, I think the tricky time travelling element was done well. It’s the type of book you read twice, knowing what you know at the end 😊
The two main characters, Noah and Mariah, are mainly likeable, but at times their dialogue and emotions are a bit flat, especially considering the horrors they are witnessing. There are a wide range of supporting characters - I found these tricky to keep track of given most of them have code names as well as real names.
There is violence and swearing in the book.
Overall, I think the book will appeal to YAs looking for an action-packed, historical based, time travelling adventure.
April 15, 2022
Have you ever had the fantasy of what would happen if you found yourself in another place and time? The author explores this theme by unleashing two very likeable teen-age characters in Italy amidst the chaos of Nazi-occupied Italy.
We are compelled to root on the teen characters Noah and Mariah as soon as we meet them on American soil. Their bravery and ingenuity in fighting an evil regime in Italy is believable, and the story ends on a satisfying note.
The author is clearly an expert on WWII and has tremendous insight into key events and knowledge of Italy that imbues the story with additional nuances of color and texture.
We are compelled to root on the teen characters Noah and Mariah as soon as we meet them on American soil. Their bravery and ingenuity in fighting an evil regime in Italy is believable, and the story ends on a satisfying note.
The author is clearly an expert on WWII and has tremendous insight into key events and knowledge of Italy that imbues the story with additional nuances of color and texture.
July 30, 2023
This book took a lot of unexpected twists and turns. I very much enjoyed it and have plans to read the rest of the series very soon. I am interested to see what comes of Noah and how his situation is explained to him family. Unless they already know? I was happy that Noah and Mariah didn't end up together, but I was pleased with the growth both displayed. Overall, I was very pleased with the storyline.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2022
This is a time-travel adventure featuring two high school students from Arizona, Mariah and Noah. They are part of a school trip to Italy in 2017, but while walking near a specific building in Genoa, they are suddenly transported back in time to 1943. Over the next few months, they become part of a resistance group fighting Mussolini’s Black Shirts. Eventually, they get mixed up with a group of scientists working under duress on a teleportation machine that Mussolini wants to use in the war effort.
Noah is attracted to Mariah, but she isn’t interested in him. However, they are forced to cooperate while dealing with their situation. A certain amount of banter between the two introduces an element of humour. Other funny scenes include preparing a “recently deceased chicken” for cooking, and a bizarrely comical visit to the teleportation lab by Mussolini, Hitler, and Franco. Tense situations occur regularly, as the two Americans are sent on missions by the resistance group. Some of them end in violent deaths. A lot of focaccia is consumed.
This is described as a young adult novel, and I suspect one of the author’s intentions was to present facts about Italy and its history. Facts are certainly presented, often in the form of stilted dialogue, especially in the first few chapters. At times the kids sound almost like tour guides. And is it likely that parents would wait until the day of departure to ask their kids who else is going on the trip? In addition, there is a surprising amount of swearing, including the “f” word.
Once Mariah and Noah are whisked away to 1943, the pace picks up and becomes quite dizzying by the conclusion of the book. The scientific premises around the teleportation machine sound fairly plausible, but exactly how the device is supposed to win the war for the Fascist side is not made clear. There are a lot of characters. Most of the tour group members introduced in the first few chapters are never seen once the action shifts to the 1940s. The resistance people have code names as well as real names, which are swapped around as needed. I had trouble keeping everyone straight at times. Sometimes the language being spoken is specified, but in general, there are surprisingly few communication problems among the two Americans, many Italians, and the occasional German.
About halfway through, there is a startling revelation about what’s really going on. At that point, my suspension of disbelief was seriously strained, and I began to detach from the story. The ending includes a definite twist and sets things up for the next book in the series.
I admit I’m of mixed minds about time travel stories. Done well, they are compelling. One of the plot elements in this book is making sure that history unfolds as it should. There are a few scenes in which the characters from 2017 meet elderly relatives as young people in 1943. I was fine with those, but at least one later development seemed to defy the logic needed to make this type of story credible.
Reading this book felt like watching a TV program—lots of jokey repartee, a fast succession of high-impact scenes, splashes of romance, and a dramatic resolution. But the plot didn’t stand up to close examination. I would recommend it to readers who like a fast, exciting time travel story without too much concern for details.
Noah is attracted to Mariah, but she isn’t interested in him. However, they are forced to cooperate while dealing with their situation. A certain amount of banter between the two introduces an element of humour. Other funny scenes include preparing a “recently deceased chicken” for cooking, and a bizarrely comical visit to the teleportation lab by Mussolini, Hitler, and Franco. Tense situations occur regularly, as the two Americans are sent on missions by the resistance group. Some of them end in violent deaths. A lot of focaccia is consumed.
This is described as a young adult novel, and I suspect one of the author’s intentions was to present facts about Italy and its history. Facts are certainly presented, often in the form of stilted dialogue, especially in the first few chapters. At times the kids sound almost like tour guides. And is it likely that parents would wait until the day of departure to ask their kids who else is going on the trip? In addition, there is a surprising amount of swearing, including the “f” word.
Once Mariah and Noah are whisked away to 1943, the pace picks up and becomes quite dizzying by the conclusion of the book. The scientific premises around the teleportation machine sound fairly plausible, but exactly how the device is supposed to win the war for the Fascist side is not made clear. There are a lot of characters. Most of the tour group members introduced in the first few chapters are never seen once the action shifts to the 1940s. The resistance people have code names as well as real names, which are swapped around as needed. I had trouble keeping everyone straight at times. Sometimes the language being spoken is specified, but in general, there are surprisingly few communication problems among the two Americans, many Italians, and the occasional German.
About halfway through, there is a startling revelation about what’s really going on. At that point, my suspension of disbelief was seriously strained, and I began to detach from the story. The ending includes a definite twist and sets things up for the next book in the series.
I admit I’m of mixed minds about time travel stories. Done well, they are compelling. One of the plot elements in this book is making sure that history unfolds as it should. There are a few scenes in which the characters from 2017 meet elderly relatives as young people in 1943. I was fine with those, but at least one later development seemed to defy the logic needed to make this type of story credible.
Reading this book felt like watching a TV program—lots of jokey repartee, a fast succession of high-impact scenes, splashes of romance, and a dramatic resolution. But the plot didn’t stand up to close examination. I would recommend it to readers who like a fast, exciting time travel story without too much concern for details.
June 29, 2023
I don't read YA novels for pleasure, but I used to read a lot of them as part of building up my classroom library. Since I was teaching reading and social studies, I used to really go for books set against the background of historical events and other cultures. So, it's through the lens of a former social studies/reading teacher that I evaluated this book.
I'm afraid that I wouldn't have chosen this novel for my students. Not that it's a bad novel. In fact, some teens would love it. There's lots of excitement, there's the background of war and intrigue, there's heroic teens battling a whole lot of dumb/bad/clueless/evil/etc. adults, there's the time travel, and there's the manipulations of the ancient beings in the background.
One problem I have, in terms of picking a book for a classroom, is the bad language. I'm not personally prudish, but I respect the fact that many parents are, so a book that starts out with a word that Amazon wouldn't allow in a review is not a book I would choose.
The second problem is the over-abundance of characters. When teaching reading comprehension, I used the story map. For this book, the first four of five sections require lessons focused on sorting out the characters. A cheat sheet would be necessary.
The plot, too, begins with a quick-fire series of vignettes that imply motivations, and my hypothetical students would have to figure out which characters were pursuing which agenda in alliance with or opposition to which other characters. They'd need to keep their cheat sheet handy for the rest of the novel.
I think many YA readers would find the book to be overwhelming. The historical stuff is interesting to me, and probably a lot truer to life than the usual fascists-versus-the-US-and-allies version of WW2. Real life is always very complicated. However, when writing a novel for teens, I think some simplification would have made the story more accessible. I feel regretful saying this, because, on the other hand I thought the intertwining plot lines and the background fantasy/sci-fi elements intriguing.
I think this book is too overwhelming for many YA readers, but too YA for many adults. It's hard to put my reaction into stars. I'd give five for being interesting and imaginative, three for meeting the needs of YA readers, and probably three for meeting the needs of adult readers. So, I'll estimate up to a four since there really is a lot of interesting stuff in the book.
I'm afraid that I wouldn't have chosen this novel for my students. Not that it's a bad novel. In fact, some teens would love it. There's lots of excitement, there's the background of war and intrigue, there's heroic teens battling a whole lot of dumb/bad/clueless/evil/etc. adults, there's the time travel, and there's the manipulations of the ancient beings in the background.
One problem I have, in terms of picking a book for a classroom, is the bad language. I'm not personally prudish, but I respect the fact that many parents are, so a book that starts out with a word that Amazon wouldn't allow in a review is not a book I would choose.
The second problem is the over-abundance of characters. When teaching reading comprehension, I used the story map. For this book, the first four of five sections require lessons focused on sorting out the characters. A cheat sheet would be necessary.
The plot, too, begins with a quick-fire series of vignettes that imply motivations, and my hypothetical students would have to figure out which characters were pursuing which agenda in alliance with or opposition to which other characters. They'd need to keep their cheat sheet handy for the rest of the novel.
I think many YA readers would find the book to be overwhelming. The historical stuff is interesting to me, and probably a lot truer to life than the usual fascists-versus-the-US-and-allies version of WW2. Real life is always very complicated. However, when writing a novel for teens, I think some simplification would have made the story more accessible. I feel regretful saying this, because, on the other hand I thought the intertwining plot lines and the background fantasy/sci-fi elements intriguing.
I think this book is too overwhelming for many YA readers, but too YA for many adults. It's hard to put my reaction into stars. I'd give five for being interesting and imaginative, three for meeting the needs of YA readers, and probably three for meeting the needs of adult readers. So, I'll estimate up to a four since there really is a lot of interesting stuff in the book.
November 27, 2023
This is a frustrating book. There is much good in it, but there are enough problems to cause concern.
First, this is advertised as a YA book. The frequent use of swear words, especially the f-bomb causes one to wonder at the true audience. Yes, YA can contain curse words, but their use here seemed more gratuitous than necessary. Mariah, one of the main characters, swears more than the proverbial sailor, yet is a Sunday school teacher.
The opening sequences are confusing as the story jumps back and forth between 2017 and 1943 without explanation. Between the two, it’s when the action remains with the partisans that is the most interesting.
Inconsistencies throughout the story. For example, Mariah’s family is somewhat impoverished and is somewhat dependent on the kindness of others, yet moments later her mom is planning a feast and needs to head out to “stock up on the barbecue,” because the “cousins are coming, so we’ll need extra ribs. God, they like to gorge on everything.” Another example: “They then poured gasoline all over the car, and the unconscious Sforza and the guard.” The next paragraph, Sforza and the guard are in a basement with no explanation as to why they were doused with gasoline. And yet another example: how is it that Mariah knows that Noah and Lavonia had sex when a) she wasn’t close by when it happened, and b) no one mentions it afterwards.
Misspellings and grammar – needs proofing, especially cutting out irrelevant sections. Also, times when the author tells instead of shows, especially all the background on the scientists, et al. Further, there are times the novel reads like an old James Bond film, especially in the villain’s compound with folks repeating commands.
Mariah and Noah are far too knowledgeable of German and Italian military weaponry, uniforms, and WW2 Italian history. Mariah sees a German and immediately recognizes him as Waffen SS, or Noah’s expertise on the Vatican in WW2, or the OSS, or what G and L represents, etc. “Which brigade are you? Garibaldi, Rosselli, Manzzini?”
The ending was especially problematic as it manages to create more confusion than answers.
Now, having said all the above, the story did hold my attention and I liked the quick pace of the plot and action.
First, this is advertised as a YA book. The frequent use of swear words, especially the f-bomb causes one to wonder at the true audience. Yes, YA can contain curse words, but their use here seemed more gratuitous than necessary. Mariah, one of the main characters, swears more than the proverbial sailor, yet is a Sunday school teacher.
The opening sequences are confusing as the story jumps back and forth between 2017 and 1943 without explanation. Between the two, it’s when the action remains with the partisans that is the most interesting.
Inconsistencies throughout the story. For example, Mariah’s family is somewhat impoverished and is somewhat dependent on the kindness of others, yet moments later her mom is planning a feast and needs to head out to “stock up on the barbecue,” because the “cousins are coming, so we’ll need extra ribs. God, they like to gorge on everything.” Another example: “They then poured gasoline all over the car, and the unconscious Sforza and the guard.” The next paragraph, Sforza and the guard are in a basement with no explanation as to why they were doused with gasoline. And yet another example: how is it that Mariah knows that Noah and Lavonia had sex when a) she wasn’t close by when it happened, and b) no one mentions it afterwards.
Misspellings and grammar – needs proofing, especially cutting out irrelevant sections. Also, times when the author tells instead of shows, especially all the background on the scientists, et al. Further, there are times the novel reads like an old James Bond film, especially in the villain’s compound with folks repeating commands.
Mariah and Noah are far too knowledgeable of German and Italian military weaponry, uniforms, and WW2 Italian history. Mariah sees a German and immediately recognizes him as Waffen SS, or Noah’s expertise on the Vatican in WW2, or the OSS, or what G and L represents, etc. “Which brigade are you? Garibaldi, Rosselli, Manzzini?”
The ending was especially problematic as it manages to create more confusion than answers.
Now, having said all the above, the story did hold my attention and I liked the quick pace of the plot and action.
January 31, 2025
David Alyn Gordon’s Jigsaw: Beginnings is a multifaceted tale that intertwines historical intrigue with modern-day adventure. The narrative pivots between World War II, where a dangerous teleportation experiment is being developed, and a contemporary group of students embarking on an educational trip to Italy. The book blends a tense scientific conspiracy with a coming-of-age travel story, creating a gripping exploration of history’s long shadow on the present.
The writing switches between sharp historical drama and lighthearted modern banter, giving the book an eclectic rhythm. The wartime scenes, particularly the character of Colonel Angelo and his ruthless manipulations, are chillingly vivid. I found the prologue’s depiction of Dr. Saberstein’s sacrifice compelling, it sets a gripping tone for the stakes involved. On the other hand, the contemporary sections featuring Noah and Mariah capture a different energy, one that’s humorous and relatable. However, at times, the transitions between these two tones feel abrupt, and I wished for smoother integration.
Gordon’s characters are distinct and memorable. Colonel Angelo and Professor Klein stand out with their moral complexities, especially Klein, whose reluctant collaboration with the Fascists is both heartbreaking and thought-provoking. On the other hand, the modern characters sometimes feel a bit familiar, with certain dialogue reflecting common teenage tropes. Still, moments like Mariah’s near-accident in Genoa inject genuine tension, reminding us how history and danger intersect in unexpected ways.
The book excels in its portrayal of the setting. Gordon paints Italy, both past and present, with a vibrant palette. From the chaos of wartime Voltri to the bustling charm of modern Genoa, the locales feel alive. I appreciated the juxtaposition of the students’ carefree tour with the weighty historical secrets beneath their feet.
Jigsaw: Beginnings is a bold and ambitious story that will appeal to fans of historical fiction and young adult adventure alike. Its vivid settings and compelling stakes make it a rewarding read. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys a mix of historical depth and modern relatability, especially readers curious about how past actions ripple into the present.
The writing switches between sharp historical drama and lighthearted modern banter, giving the book an eclectic rhythm. The wartime scenes, particularly the character of Colonel Angelo and his ruthless manipulations, are chillingly vivid. I found the prologue’s depiction of Dr. Saberstein’s sacrifice compelling, it sets a gripping tone for the stakes involved. On the other hand, the contemporary sections featuring Noah and Mariah capture a different energy, one that’s humorous and relatable. However, at times, the transitions between these two tones feel abrupt, and I wished for smoother integration.
Gordon’s characters are distinct and memorable. Colonel Angelo and Professor Klein stand out with their moral complexities, especially Klein, whose reluctant collaboration with the Fascists is both heartbreaking and thought-provoking. On the other hand, the modern characters sometimes feel a bit familiar, with certain dialogue reflecting common teenage tropes. Still, moments like Mariah’s near-accident in Genoa inject genuine tension, reminding us how history and danger intersect in unexpected ways.
The book excels in its portrayal of the setting. Gordon paints Italy, both past and present, with a vibrant palette. From the chaos of wartime Voltri to the bustling charm of modern Genoa, the locales feel alive. I appreciated the juxtaposition of the students’ carefree tour with the weighty historical secrets beneath their feet.
Jigsaw: Beginnings is a bold and ambitious story that will appeal to fans of historical fiction and young adult adventure alike. Its vivid settings and compelling stakes make it a rewarding read. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys a mix of historical depth and modern relatability, especially readers curious about how past actions ripple into the present.
September 26, 2021
In January, 1944, scientists in fascist Italy invent time travel and teleportation. Mariah and Noah, people from the present day, are made to travel back to that time and do things, and the things they do are things that would have had to have already been done in order to bring about the present day situation they started from. This is the paradox inherent in time travel: if you go back in time, the things you do in the past are things you haven’t done yet, although they’ve already happened. A mind-bending puzzle. Do the people involved have free will, or are all their actions predetermined? Can it be that both of those things are true: they are free to do whatever they want because whatever they do is what actually happened? In the case of Mariah and Noah, a further complication is that they are being manipulated by other time travelers who are masterminding the whole series of events to make sure things turn out the way they should (i.e., the way they did).
Three fascist dictators, Hitler, Mussolini and Franco, all come together to witness this marvel. At this point, the time travelers had an opportunity to let the resistance kill all three, but instead they made sure they weren’t killed, because that wasn’t what actually happened. But wait – if they allowed the resistance to kill them, then that would have been what actually happened. Maybe the war would have ended sooner and millions of lives could have been saved. Maybe that would have been better than what actually happened. Of course, they might be unable to return to the situation they started from, but would they want to? Who knows? Oh, and there’s teleportation (travelling instantly from one place to another – which is really another form of time travel) thrown in as well. So there were a number of metaphysical chestnuts to consider while reading this book, but since it's a simple YA thriller they were all passed over.
There seems to be a school of thought that a younger age group will not be demanding, and will be willing to accept shoddy writing as long as they get some action thrills and a little romance. However, I think readers of that age want some actual literary quality: characters they can believe in and situations with a feel of real life, and I expect this effort is not one that would hold their attention. The characters are interchangeable, the prose is wooden and flat-footed, descriptions don’t have the feel of having been experienced, although there are actions of great violence, there is remarkably little emotion that can be felt, and the romance is unconvincing. There is really nothing of interest here, no real life. There is one scene in which Mariah is expected to pluck a chicken, where a little bit of personality can be seen. There should have been more of that, but there isn’t. Also, the climax, involving lots of characters who are largely indistinguishable, many with code names as well as real ones, and time travel and teleportation, becomes just a big muddle. It is completely unclear what is going on. It is the type of thing a professional writer might well avoid because it is too difficult; to have carried it off would have been a tour de force.
In addition, the book contains numerous errors of the sort that could have been cleared up by a conscientious job of editing. Simple grammatical mistakes and missing or misused words are technical problems that can be easily fixed. Unfortunately, there are all too many carelessly put-together books of this sort, which cause many people simply to refuse to look at any indie writing.
Three fascist dictators, Hitler, Mussolini and Franco, all come together to witness this marvel. At this point, the time travelers had an opportunity to let the resistance kill all three, but instead they made sure they weren’t killed, because that wasn’t what actually happened. But wait – if they allowed the resistance to kill them, then that would have been what actually happened. Maybe the war would have ended sooner and millions of lives could have been saved. Maybe that would have been better than what actually happened. Of course, they might be unable to return to the situation they started from, but would they want to? Who knows? Oh, and there’s teleportation (travelling instantly from one place to another – which is really another form of time travel) thrown in as well. So there were a number of metaphysical chestnuts to consider while reading this book, but since it's a simple YA thriller they were all passed over.
There seems to be a school of thought that a younger age group will not be demanding, and will be willing to accept shoddy writing as long as they get some action thrills and a little romance. However, I think readers of that age want some actual literary quality: characters they can believe in and situations with a feel of real life, and I expect this effort is not one that would hold their attention. The characters are interchangeable, the prose is wooden and flat-footed, descriptions don’t have the feel of having been experienced, although there are actions of great violence, there is remarkably little emotion that can be felt, and the romance is unconvincing. There is really nothing of interest here, no real life. There is one scene in which Mariah is expected to pluck a chicken, where a little bit of personality can be seen. There should have been more of that, but there isn’t. Also, the climax, involving lots of characters who are largely indistinguishable, many with code names as well as real ones, and time travel and teleportation, becomes just a big muddle. It is completely unclear what is going on. It is the type of thing a professional writer might well avoid because it is too difficult; to have carried it off would have been a tour de force.
In addition, the book contains numerous errors of the sort that could have been cleared up by a conscientious job of editing. Simple grammatical mistakes and missing or misused words are technical problems that can be easily fixed. Unfortunately, there are all too many carelessly put-together books of this sort, which cause many people simply to refuse to look at any indie writing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews