Julie Cross (1)

I admit that I was partially interested in this book because it reminded me of a couple of different movies/books. In particular 'The Girl Who Leapt Through Time' (apparently I like different things then every other reviewer here as I've never read or seen Jumper or Time Traveler's Wife). At first it went over my head, the time travel stuff, because everything I've ever read/seen has always said 'Change the past, change the future'. It didn't seem right that no matter what Jackson did he could not change the future while in the past.

It started to make sense though as I saw the plot that Cross was building upon.

Despite how the book seems to be marketed, its heavy on the science fiction angle. Mostly because there's a lot involved with explaining the time travel physics (like how small jumps = no effect, large jumps = alternate realities) and Jackson's best friend is a geek (but a cool one who can hack the government). The underlying tension throughout the book as Jackson struggles to find a way to save Holly in the present (2009), while getting to know her in the past (2007) comes to a head at the end that proved he had grown as a character.

The subplots are plenty--mysterious father, deceased sister showing up at random moments, shadowy organization that is very much against what Jackson is trying to accomplish. And to add to that, a lot of characters are introduced who will likely have larger roles throughout the next two books.

The only thing that began to irritate me was that nothing was as it seemed, so the game changed so often I got confused. The only concrete detail of the book was that Jackson loved Holly and would do anything for her. Everything else--up to and including his personal history--were up for debate throughout the book. Its not that Cross made no sense, just that the facts kept being changed and given the nature of the book I wasn't sure who knew what at any given time.
… (meer)

Funny and touching. I related to the awkwardness of main character Izzy and her inability to say the right thing or engage her filters. She didn't have any filters, which is really common for smart kids who don't develop social skills because they don't relate to their peers.
Izzy is more comfortable around adults than people her age, she focuses really well on certain things to the exclusion of almost everything else, and she's uncomfortable with emotions.

Someone else reviewed this book and said that the main character reminded them of Sheldon Cooper, except that Sheldon is "lovable." Well, I think Sheldon is an asshole because he knows how to be decent to other people but chooses not to, and Izzy is great because she wants to be a kind person but doesn't yet know how.… (meer)

2.5 Stars

Well lots of other people loved this book and I can understand why.

I was pleased I finished it as a lot of questions about the time travel theory created by this author were cleared up in the last parts. I think this story needed to be edited to make it a bit tighter and less jumbled. I know jumping around between different timelines was the way the author chose to reveal significant pieces of information but it felt like too much work as a Reader, for too little pay off. By pay off I mean I didn't really feel invested in the story or the relationships so the jumping around in time just felt tiresome to me. There was just so much going on that I didn't have time to get anchored into any one aspect. I would have liked it more if either the romance was cut out and it was about saving the sister and exploring what was hinted at in terms of her special ability, or the focus was the entirely the romance. There was just too much happening. I loved the concept I just don't think this execution worked for me.… (meer)