Books Like...

In a distant future where humanity is on the brink of extinction, chronmen are employed to travel back in time and salvage resources from the past without altering the timeline. The protagonist, a time-traveling hero with a troubled past, navigates through a world of ecological dissolution, facing challenges from a stoic female villain and a rigid rules enforcer. As the plot unfolds, the characters delve into psychological complexities, corporate greed, and the consequences of manipulating time.

The book explores themes of time travel ethics, mental health issues faced by chronmen, and the intricate rules governing time travel. It combines elements of science fiction, dystopian thriller, and character-driven narratives to create a world where humanity's survival hinges on mining resources from the past while avoiding catastrophic disruptions to the timeline.

In "Clockwise" by Lee Strauss, the story follows Casey, a teenage girl who unexpectedly time travels back to 1861 at random moments. She finds herself coping with this unique ability, but when she accidentally brings her crush, Nate, along on one of her trips, her life takes an unexpected turn. The narrative delves into Casey's teenage world of angst, romance, and time travel, blending elements of adventure, history, and coming-of-age themes. The writing style captures the essence of teenage struggles and the complexities of time travel, intertwining light-hearted moments with deeper themes of survival, friendship, and self-discovery.

Addison Coleman, a Clairvoyant living in a secret compound with others who have Abilities, faces a life-changing decision when her parents decide to get a divorce. She must choose between staying in the compound with her mother or moving into the norm world with her father, each path leading to different futures with love, loss, and betrayal. The story unfolds in alternating chapters, showcasing the two possible realities Addie could live in and the challenges she faces in making a choice.

The book "Pivot Point" by Kasie West is a unique blend of contemporary romance, fantasy, and science fiction, following Addie's journey to navigate her two potential futures. With well-developed characters, including the loyal Addie, the charismatic love interests Duke and Trevor, and the outgoing best friend Laila, the plot delves into themes of friendship, choices, divorce, and the consequences of one's decisions, all set against a backdrop of paranormal abilities and mysterious occurrences.

Timebound by Rysa Walker is a sci-fi time travel novel that follows Kate Pierce Keller, a teenager who is suddenly thrown into the world of time travel with little warning or preparation. As she navigates multiple alternate timelines and tries to prevent changes to human history made by her grandfather, readers are taken on a thrilling adventure filled with mystery, action, and romance. The story is well-paced, engaging, and features complex relationships between characters, making it a captivating read for both young adult and adult audiences.

'The Syndicate' in the 'Timewaves' series by Sophie Davis follows the story of Stassi, a runner in the 2400s, who embarks on journeys into the past, particularly 1920s Paris, to uncover secrets about her family and origins. The novel is a blend of intrigue, adventure, romance, and time travel, keeping readers engaged with a well-developed plotline and subplots that intertwine smoothly. The writing style is captivating, although some readers found the protagonist's behavior unprofessional and prone to fainting, adding a layer of complexity to the narrative.

The story revolves around Stassi's quest to solve mysteries, navigate relationships with intriguing characters like Charles and her partner Gaige, and confront a serial killer in a historical setting. seamlessly weaves together elements of science fiction, mystery, and romance, leaving readers eager to delve into the next installment for a continuation of the surprises and revelations presented in the plot.

'Permafrost' by Alastair Reynolds is a sci-fi novella set in a near future where Earth is facing an apocalyptic environmental disaster. A group of scientists in 2080 embarks on a risky time travel experiment to alter the past and prevent the catastrophe that threatens the future of humanity. The story revolves around the character Valentina Lidova, a 71-year-old Russian math teacher who becomes one of the time travelers tasked with saving the world by changing the course of history. The narrative unfolds in a non-linear fashion, exploring themes of time travel paradoxes, environmental collapse, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Reynolds' writing style in 'Permafrost' is praised for its gripping storytelling, thought-provoking concepts, and well-developed characters. The novella delves into complex ideas of time travel, quantum effects, and the consequences of altering the past, creating a compelling and multi-layered narrative. The blend of dystopian elements, scientific theories, and emotional depth makes 'Permafrost' a captivating read that keeps readers engaged till the last page.

The Wizard of Time series by G.L. Breedon follows the story of Gabriel, a young teen boy who is transported to an enclave of fellow wizards located in the age of dinosaurs. Together, they are mages from various times in history fighting time wars with dark mages, a premise that sets a unique tone for the series. The book is praised for its captivating storytelling, adventurous plot, and creative world-building that seamlessly combines genres and age groups. Readers are drawn into a fantasy world that is both emotive and unpredictable, exploring ethical and philosophical struggles alongside action-packed time travel adventures.

The book also delves into the protagonist's coming-of-age journey, where Gabriel navigates through dark and mature themes while finding his place in a surrogate family of fellow wizards. The writing style is commended for its ability to engage readers with philosophical aspects, historical backdrops, and technical explanations that add depth to the narrative, making it a thought-provoking and enthralling read.

'Doing Time' by Jodi Taylor is the first book in the Time Police series, a spin-off of the Chronicles of St. Mary's series. The story follows three young Time Police trainees - Jane, Luke, and Matthew - who struggle to fit into the regimented culture of the Time Police. As they navigate through their training and face challenges within the ranks, they find themselves caught in the crossfire of internal conflicts. The book combines elements of humor, time-travel, historical events, and rebellious coming-of-age themes, creating an engaging and light-hearted read with a blend of new characters and familiar faces from the original series.

Jodi Taylor's writing style in 'Doing Time' is described as smooth, witty, and engaging. The book weaves together mysteries, time jumps to various historical periods, and the formation of relationships among the characters. With a mix of humor, adventure, and character development, the story unfolds with a balance of light-hearted moments and intriguing plot twists, making it an enjoyable romp through time for fans of time-travel and sci-fi genres.

"Extracted" by R.R. Haywood is a fast-paced science fiction fantasy novel with strong adult language and violence. The story follows three main protagonists who are pulled from their respective timelines at the moment of their deaths and brought into a concrete bunker. As they are asked to save the world, they must navigate time travel, complex character development, and an overarching theme of human decency in the face of adversity. The writing style is characterized by engaging dialogue, relatable characters, and a seamless weaving of the storyline that keeps readers invested and eager to explore the universe created by the author.

"Traveler" by L.E. DeLano follows the main character Jessa, who discovers she is a Traveler capable of moving through alternate universes via mirrors. Her life, along with all other versions of herself across universes, is in danger. The plot is a mix of fantasy, sci-fi, and romance, with elements of suspense and intrigue. DeLano's writing style is praised for being clean, focused, and engaging, leading readers on a journey filled with dark and fun moments as they explore different dimensions alongside Jessa.