Thursday, October 30, 2014

Book Review: Loop by Karen Akins

Quick Facts
My Rating: 4 stars

Series: Loop #1

Date Read: October 29, 2014

Source: Free review copy from Netgalley

Publication Date: October 21, 2014

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Genres: Young adult, science fiction, romance

Summary (taken from Goodreads): At a school where Quantum Paradox 101 is a required course and history field trips are literal, sixteen year-old time traveler Bree Bennis excels…at screwing up.

After Bree botches a solo midterm to the 21st century by accidentally taking a boy hostage (a teensy snafu), she stands to lose her scholarship. But when Bree sneaks back to talk the kid into keeping his yap shut, she doesn’t go back far enough. The boy, Finn, now three years older and hot as a solar flare, is convinced he’s in love with Bree, or rather, a future version of her that doesn’t think he’s a complete pain in the arse. To make matters worse, she inadvertently transports him back to the 23rd century with her. 

Once home, Bree discovers that a recent rash of accidents at her school are anything but accidental. Someone is attacking time travelers. As Bree and her temporal tagalong uncover seemingly unconnected clues—a broken bracelet, a missing data file, the art heist of the millennium—that lead to the person responsible, she alone has the knowledge to piece the puzzle together. Knowledge only one other person has. Her future self.

But when those closest to her become the next victims, Bree realizes the attacker is willing to do anything to stop her. In the past, present, or future. 

Review
This was a great read, but it wasn't perfect. At the same time, I couldn't tell you why something felt off to me - just that it did. It did take some time for the main character, Bree, to grow on me, and that might have been part of the problem.

What I do know is that this book was full of twists and turns. I anticipated some of them, but some were absolutely unpredictable and I loved that feeling of not knowing what would happen next. Finn was an amazing character and so understanding - he was one of the highlights of this one.

Time travel doesn't usually work for me in books - I am usually interested in the plots in theory, but don't actually enjoy them while written. This might have been another aspect that made the book a bit awkward for me going in - but I'm definitely glad that I picked it up despite my usual feelings. Time travel was handled so, so well here. Things were described well and they made sense, and combined with the mystery aspect that made for a wonderful story.

I can definitely say that I recommend this one, especially to those looking for a fun read. Despite the serious things happening in this book - Bree's struggles with her mother, especially - it really did read as light-hearted and fun to me, with the fast pacing and plot twists. Overall, I really enjoyed it.

2 comments:

  1. I would love to read this book. I am interested in time travel and so many books don't do it right so I want to see how this one does it. Also, it's a shame it isn't perfect, but then again, which book ever is? I like the sound of it.

    Check out my review: http://olivia-savannah.blogspot.nl/2014/11/dnf-hilltop.html

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    Replies
    1. This one definitely pulled it off well! I hope you enjoy it :)

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