Trade Back size print copy Dylan Garvey, of 2041, fights for freedom from a dictatorship style UK government that has changed civilisation as we know it. Behind the scenes, mass murder, social control and slavery are the things Garvey’s rebellions group are trying to take down. Growing up in a dystopian future, twenty-year old Erin fights with the Garvey rebels, and has seen more than her fair share of slavery, murder and kidnapping - all under government control. When Erin and a small group of her rebel outpost, accidentally drop into the past, she figures they can use their knowledge of what’s to come to help those left behind in the future. Seeking out Garvey’s help is top of the list. But in 2019, Garvey is a 26-year-old active soldier, loyal to his country. And falling in love with one of his friends is not something Erin has time for, especially when the guy is destined to die before she's even born. Trying to navigate her new plan for changing the future, there are implications on people's lives that Erin never seen coming. And a threat from the future who might be here already.
I read a free sample paper version, chapbook size. This contained a few chapters and got the start of the story across. Some Scottish rebels are hiding from a dystopian British government. They make forays across the border, with its mass graves, to the depopulated north of England, and the story is mostly set around Darlington. While investigating, they discover a barn with a time travel gadget (no wire fences, locks, not even a dog?) and get sent back a few years to just before the world went so badly wrong. Young women are characters along with hardy men, and there is some strong language. I could have done without the language. The point is made that ordinary life contained too much stuff, and this was one of the triggers for reducing the population by force. I would be interested to read more of this story. This is an unbiased review.
Time travel, romance and mystery are an ideal mix for an enjoyable story. And this book packs them all, but slips a little.
I loved the story and really enjoyed it, I need to know more so am excited for the next. However, the characters, especially Erin, were a little flat. Erin irritated me, but the 2019 characters were and more fleshed out than the future characters.
All in all a good story that will probably leave you wanting more. Grab this book for a bedside table read, but be prepared to want more.