Fatechanger: Penny Found

by L.M. Poplin

Desperate to return to 1915 Boston, fifteen-year-old Penelope Clark must unlock the secrets of time travel and repair the damage caused by her previous time jump while trying to solve the mystery of her father’s disappearance.

Forgotten by those she left behind, Penn becomes entangled in a plot to dismantle a blackmail organization led by the Ghost and his Shadow. Confronted with a web of deceit so complex that her own father got caught while attempting to expose their family’s biggest shame, Penn must choose between redeeming the mistakes of an unknown ancestor and destroying the fate of the person she loves most.

Penny Found, the captivating second book in the Fatechanger series, takes us deeper into the past, bringing readers one step closer to discovering the truth of Penn’s identity.

431 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 30, 2022

About the author

When she’s not writing or traveling or riding her bike, L. M. Poplin can be found teaching classes in writing and literature at Berklee College of Music. She has co-founded, with two of her favorite authors, L’ATELIER Writers—a non-profit literary retreat and workshop based in France. Born and raised in California, she now lives in a triple-decker in Boston with her husband and son and cat.

Reviews

[Evelina | AvalinahsBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

How I read this: Free ebook copy received through NetGalley

I read the first book a couple of years ago, when it came out. Bummer for me, the recap on what happened in it is like a sentence long and barely covers any of it, and I don't tend to reread books (only select favorites), so I had trouble figuring out the whys and hows of what's going on. I think the author meant the reader to read these books straight one after the other. I was still able to figure it out, but if you can, it's best to read these in sequence.

Aside from the lack of proper recapping, this book reads much better than the earlier one! It's not often that you rate the sequel better than the original - but I knew this story had something, and now I'm glad to find out I was right. The characters are also much better written, more defined in my opinion - at least from what I remember of the first book. The book left me with a lot of feelings, mostly wistful and sad (I remember the last one left me angry with the characters! 😂)

This book moved me, the story comes together in a way that it didn't in book one, and it's all as if the first one was just a setting. I really got invested in the characters' lives, and I actually have no idea what's going to happen next - I had strong hunches last time. Now I'm kind of bummed out I'll have to wait till the next one again! I hope I won't forget the plot this time 😂

Long story short, this series is definitely worth a go.

I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.

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[Alex Hugie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Poplin's Fatechanger: Penny Found, we are treated to a focused, engaging follow-up to its predecessor, Penny Lost.

We follow Penn as she grapples with her newfound responsibility to correct the mistake of one of her ancestors. Problem is, she doesn't know who, what, or how—only when. Returning to the first book's vivid, well-researched setting of 1916 Boston, Penn takes us through an intriguing mystery that uncovers sinister blackmailing schemes, police and journalistic corruption, and much more.

Poplin masterfully illustrates Penn's complex feelings toward her temporary home and friends, many of which she feels closer to than her own home in COVID-stricken 2020. Penn's anguish at the pain she's caused those she cares about is matched by her triumphant journey toward acceptance and redemption. Each of her discoveries, disappointments, and dilemmas is keenly felt by her and reader alike. We especially feel the frustration of characters who are compelled to do the wrong things for the right reasons.

I was also impressed by the detail put into each stage of the unraveling mystery, including cipher decoding, intricate locking systems, and a well-woven backstory that becomes satisfyingly more clear with each passing chapter.

Penny Found is an excellent, immersive young adult novel that exudes genuine heart and hope, in spite of Penn's literally artificial heart that keeps her ever conscious of her own vulnerability. I recommend it to anyone looking for a fresh take on themes of family, friends, identity, and forgiveness.

[Jill Caugherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penny Found, the second book in L.M. Poplin's FateChanger young adventure series, will appeal to readers of all ages with its rich, twisty plot that includes time slip, a mystery, and realistic historical details. In search of her father, heroine Penny (aka Penn, disguised as a boy) travels from the silent world of the pandemic in 2020 to the gritty, bustling streets of Boston in 1916, where she and her friends gather clues to unravel the mystery behind a notorious blackmailer. Like the children in Dickens’ classic Oliver Twist, Penn and her friends live by their wits and stay true to their principles, even when they encounter criminals who are eager to exploit them. Vivid descriptions of Boston, thrilling plot twists, and witty dialogue will transport readers back one hundred years, to a city teeming with secret criminal networks. Ultimately, Penn’s innate kindness, integrity, courage, and loyalty make her an admirable heroine whom readers will root for while eagerly awaiting her next adventure. An engrossing, Dickensian-like historical adventure that will keep readers on the edge of their seats!

[Kimberly Kenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

L.M. Poplin's Fatechanger: Penny Found carries us away on an unforgettable whirlwind through landscapes of time and emotion. Centered around fifteen-year-old Penn's time-jump back to 1915 Boston, the narrative expertly weaves together themes of identity, family, and redemption, while posing thought-provoking questions about the nature of gifts and their impact. Penn, a relatable and multi-dimensional protagonist, struggles with her inherited time-travel ability in order to unravel the mystery of her father's disappearance. Immersed in a world of corruption and blackmail, she faces increasingly complex moral dilemmas that will challenge readers to consider their own choices in similar situations. The author evokes detailed historical settings beautifully and skillfully cultivates Penn's relationships with a cast of authentic characters, each contributing to her emotional and behavioral growth. Fatechanger: Penny Found offers a unique exploration of family secrets, personal growth, and the consequences of our actions across time. Readers will look forward to joining Penn on her next fascinating adventure in this thought-provoking series.

[M.G. Barlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story steeped my mind in a version of Boston that existed before cars and sidewalks. An era when men set up tables on streets to play board games while scents of lemon and vinegar mixed with burning rubbish swirled through the air. I heard the cries of newsboys calling out the day’s headlines amid the clop, clop, clop of horses pulling carriages for local deliveries. I’d like to say it was a simpler time, but the challenges surrounding Penn and the other characters in this book are anything but as they strive to find the evidence that will bring down a criminal organization and help those they love. The characters in this story became people I knew and missed. Overall, to me, though, this story is about the journey to true friendship in overcoming disappointments and building trust along the way toward that ultimate and timeless comfort only a good friend can bring.

[Brooke French · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penny Found, the second in L.M. Poplin’s Fatechanger series, is full of action, adventure, and surprises. After a year spent back in her own time, Penn returns to the Boston of the past to find it completely changed. Fortunes have been lost and friends have become enemies. As Penn works to unlock the secrets of her family’s time travel gift, she finds herself thrust into a world of intrigue and duplicity. This time, in a 1916 telegraph office.

Part historical fiction, part fantasy, and a completely delightful read. Penny Found was a fast-paced read I enjoyed as much as my son did.

[Carolyn Valdez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the second book in this series. I was intrigued by the fact that it is it a time jump story because I wished that we were able to do that. I think that would be so neat to be able to go back in time. This was also a fast paced, and on the edge of your seat story. And I cannot wait until the next one comes out to see what happens next. At least I hope there is a next one??


I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Connie Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Fatechanger series has something for everyone. There's history, time travel, high stakes, and engaging characters. I read this book before the first book in the series, and the author does a wonderful job incorporating important details from the first book while moving the story along so the reader doesn't feel lost. I'm adding this book (and the first book) to my middle school classroom library!