Sunday, November 5, 2017

Paradox Bound - Peter Clines

Where to begin.  I am always up for a time travel story...excuse HISTORY travel story.  And this one did disappoint.  We are following the life & adventures of Eli Teague.   As a child he sees a mysterious young woman who ran out of fuel on the side of the rode.  She was driving an old Model T, I think.  She was chased off by a man in a mask driving a sports car.  He meets her two more times at different points in his life but she doesn't look to have aged a day.  Being from a small town, this started an interest in who she was and what she was doing.  After his 3rd meeting his life is turned upside down.  It is the beginning of a wild adventure through History. 

This book brings you through various points in American History.  It has these crazy explanations about the American Dream and how we perceive things.  It was hard to put down at times.  I wasn't a huge fan of the final chapters BUT it was still a phenomenal story with amazing characters.  You really do fall in love with Eli and Harry.  They are just so real, so easy to like.  So easy to root for.  It was very creative and well written.  I would highly recommend it to anyone who likes History with a twist. 

SPOILERS


While I don't need a love story, I cannot believe that it ended with them just walking off into the sunset.  At least give me a little peck.  They clearly cared for each other more than just partners.  Especially Eli towards Harry.  The whole book is building up their relationship.  Yes, it could just be friendly but it didn't seem that way to me.  I loved the story but was annoyed with the ending...it fell flat.  Still a great book.

I do kind of hope the story continues.  I don't think it will but I would love to read more about the adventure of Eli and Harry as they skid into various points of history, trying not to muck it up along the way.

I did enjoy how historical figures, real historical figures made appearances.  As soon as James was introduced, I knew who he was.  The description and the explanation that he was a race car driver turned actor...hello JAMES DEAN!  John driving a train was creative.  All of it was creative. 

The faceless men were terrifying.  They are soulless creatures created from what once was man.  The stuff of nightmares.  I also like that the American dream is a tangible thing.  Something that can be stolen.  Something that is alive and evolves with whomever has possession of it.  The idea that our country was formed and successful because of a deal made with an Egyptian God was so cool. 

So many times I wanted to scream at Eli and Harry but they always, always protected each other.  When Eli went to Harry's wedding.  I just sat there smiling the entire time.  It was so cute and heartbreaking. Then when Eli was kidnapped by his former boss, I knew Harry would save him.  Well mostly, he did almost die.  Harry gets shot by a faceless man, nooooo but Eli protected her.  I did want to scream when they let Eli leave and kept Harry.  I know they said with certainty they would meet again but I just was upset.  They are partners, this can't be happening!!!  Eli became his own man, he became rich by getting fired (I loved that part) then he went looking for her.  He went back to hourglass and he found her.  It wasn't the reunion I wanted but it was still awesome! 

If you can't tell I really did like this book!


RAMDOM RAMBLINGS:


September 27, 2017 – Started Reading
September 27, 2017 – 
 5.0% "Best line so far "They weren't as big as some he'd seen in pictures and on film, but those were definitely boobs.""
September 28, 2017 – 
 27.0% "American History, history, history...time travel, time travel, time travel..."They summoned Ptah, the Egyptian god of Creation." wait what?!?!?"
October 2, 2017 – 
 34.0% "So "The Dream" being MIA is the reason our country is going to shit...good to know."
October 5, 2017 – 
 40.0% "She is clearly flirting but made sure to tell him "its Mrs. not Miss" soooooo they are married...right...but in the future...or past...right>?!"
October 25, 2017 – 
 78.0% "I need more of these two...."
November 2, 2017 – 
 81.0% "Ahhhhhhh its little Eli!!!!!!"
November 2, 2017 – 
 85.0% "Was that a Doctor Who reference?!?!"
November 2, 2017 – 
 89.0% "They're the ones that stole it in the first place!!! This is the paradox...right?!?! Eli & Harry are the beginning and the end...right?!?!"
November 3, 2017 – 
 94.0% "OMG that was a Supernatural Reference!!!!"
November 3, 2017 – Finished Reading