Time Travel discussion

This is our book club selection for Feb-March 2013.

About the book
They weren't panic attacks. Of that, seventeen year old Kate is certain, no matter what the shrink told her parents. But it's even harder to accept the explanation offered by her terminally ill grandmother - that Kate has inherited designer DNA from the time-traveling historians of CHRONOS, who were stranded in the past by a saboteur. Kate knows that her grandmother's story could easily be the brain tumor talking, but that doesn't explain the odd medallion or the two young men - one of them hauntingly familiar -- who simply vanish before her eyes on the subway. It doesn't explain Trey, the handsome stranger who now occupies Kate's assigned seat in trig class. And it definitely doesn't explain why Kate is now in an alternate timeline, where leaders of a previously unknown cult hold great power and are planning a rather drastic form of environmental defense.

In this new reality, Kate's grandmother was murdered at age twenty-two on a research trip to the past, which means that Kate's mother was never born, her father doesn't know her and, for all intents and purposes, she doesn't exist. The only thing keeping her from disappearing entirely is the strange blue medallion around her neck, and the only thing keeping her sane is her burgeoning relationship with Trey. To restore the time line, Kate must travel back to 1893 and keep herself and her grandmother clear of H.H. Holmes, the serial killer who is stalking young women at the Chicago World's Fair. But that choice comes at a price - she'll remember the past few months with Trey, but when he looks at her, he'll see a total stranger.

About the author
RYSA WALKER grew up on a cattle ranch in the South. Her options for entertainment were talking to cows and reading books. (Occasionally, she would mix things up a bit and read books to cows.) On the rare occasion that she gained control of the television, she watched Star Trek and imagined living in the future, on distant planets, or at least in a town big enough to have a stop light.

When not writing, she teaches history and government in North Carolina, where she shares an office with her husband, who heroically pays the mortgage each month, and a golden retriever named Lucy. She still doesn't get control of the TV very often, thanks to two sports-obsessed kids.

Where to buy
Amazon $0.99 for Kindle, $12.99 for paperback
Barnes & Noble $0.99 for Nook

Well done to all those of you who had taken up Rysa's free book offer for a review a little while ago. You've got a head start in these discussions! I just bought the book and should be able to start it in a few days when I finish 2 other books which are both quick reads.

With a little help from the author, I will be formulating some questions to help guide our discussion of this book. In the meantime, the author has created a little challenge for us to make this month's group read a little more interesting. Here are the details from Rysa:

History buff challenge: There's a very specific timeline error (or maybe it's better referred to as an "Easter Egg" since its a plot element) about a key historical event in "Time's Twisted Arrow" that will be picked up in Book 2, "Pendulum Past." The first person to spot it and email rysa@rysa.com gets a Starbucks gift card for a free drink.

Happy hunting everyone. I will have our first discussion questions posted in a few days once everyone has a chance to start the book.

Well I am not a fan of first person perspective narratives, I try to avoid them unless they are a group read.

But I am actually enjoying this one so far, I'm liking the exposition and backstory, not too much preamble, its cutting to the chase, in fact very much like Grandma Katherine in the story. I'm already caring about Katie, the mysterious blue light, and Grandma Katherine is one intriguing character.

I think my problem with first person narrative books I've read in the past is that not only are we stuck with one perspective all the way, the protagonist themselves have mostly being either very ignorant, naive or bloody annoying. I do appreciate that sometimes, those unlikeable characteristics are important to serve the story but its at the sacrifice of my enjoying the story if I dont care for the character. There have been the odd one or two exceptions in which I have enjoyed it, for example, our recent group read, Heinlein's The Door into Summer.

However, in this book, our protagonist is likeable, smart and good natured, so far with a little sense of daring. I'm only on chapter 2 but so far its radiating a lot of warmth. My only pre-meditated fear is if it turns into a slushy teen romance.

Tej wrote: "Well I am not a fan of first person perspective narratives"
.
I used to be just like you, i bought the "hard copy" of "The Hunger games" when it hit the stores in my town about a year after it was release. Came back home red the word "I and the books first person perspective" and returned it immediately.
Then before the movie was released i gave it a try after reading reviews by the few people who gave the book rave reviews and alot of those people were well matured and seasoned readers. Well, my opinion was changed forever after reading HG. Now, i think 1st person perspective is actually very fast and easy to follow.
Coming to TTA, i've red four chapters so far(including last 3 chapters in one sitting) and i completely agree with you. The book is building up to pace and its keep getting faster, there is enough suspense to keep you interesting and story is getting broader and "gutsier".

Tej wrote: My only pre-meditated fear is if it turns into a slushy teen romance
+1 here too. I thought the same thing atleast at two points while reading but from the book's description on its main page (John's post above "About the Book) i think its much more than that. LETS SEE....

I'm okay with first person perspective as long as the character telling the story is relatable. I also loved the "Hunger Games." It is probably one of the best first person novels I have ever read.

Okay, so here are some questions to get the discussion started (with help from Rysa):

Question #1: In this story, our main character must wrestle with the fact that changing the past could result in some innocent individuals never existing. When faced with the possibility of creating an alternate future, who has the right to choose?

Question #2: We don't currently have the ability to choose "genetic gifts" for our offspring, but it's something that could, arguably, exist within a matter of decades. Could a reasonable line be drawn or is this a Pandora's Box that should never be opened?

More to follow when we get a little deeper into the book.

I just thought of a couple more questions that might be a little simpler:

Question #3: Does the fact that this book is told in the first person from the perspective of a 16-year-old girl detract from your enjoyment of the book?

Being a 40-something male, I suprisingly don't find it much of a problem myself, but since it has come up already in the discussion I thought I would get everyone else's feedback.

Question #4: What do you think about the idea that time travel is based on some type of genetic trait and that only certain people are able to do it?

John wrote, "Does the fact that this book is told in the first person from the perspective of a 16-year-old girl detract from your enjoyment of the book?

Does it detract? So far, no. There are so many characters and events (past, present, and future) to keep track of, as well as non-teen dialogue, that it's not an issue at 20% into the book. I admit I wouldn't normally select a novel with a teen age girl as the primary character, being neither a teen nor a girl myself, but here I am reading one thanks to Group Reads. Expanded horizons. But it really comes down to the story, so I look forward to reading further.

As for 1st person narration in general, I'm perfectly fine with it if it's done right, but it does raise the stakes. If it's a good story and the narrator is the primary character, one that I like, it can provide insight and enhance enjoyment. But the reverse is also true. Bad story with unlikeable narrator? Good luck. But I think it's worth the risk. There may be less risk with a minor character as the narrator, or with narration in third person, but unlikeable characters will still detract. My conclusion: I don't judge books simply by the cover or by narrator perspective alone. Neither changes the heart of the story nor the quality of the writing.

Paul wrote: 'As for 1st person narration...'

Paul, you speak from experience, I know.

I'm near halfway through your colonial TT book & your use of 1st person so far is very good indeed, as is the historical bent but, I’m most anxious to learn more about the why & whom, etc. in terms of genre & in the near Future, I think I will.

1/5th into the book now and I am happy to say that my apprehension towards the first person perspective is completely eliminated now!

Story is zipping along nicely. We're getting enough (not extensive) character development through progressive story telling which is GOOD, not through needless preamble exposition and philosophising that most of the first person perspective books I have read are guilty of.

There is a head spinning time travel mechanism going on here and I am absolutely digging it. The concept involves a time bubble which if you are in it, you are protected by the changes that can occur in the main time stream. I love this concept because it explains how individuals can retain alternate timeline memories. Its not a new concept. One example is the Timeriders series by Alex Scarrow which also uses this "bubble" mechanism and I am sure there are other novels that do too but its a good plot device to retain integrity in time travel changes.

Anyway good stuff so far! I like it when a book has me turning the pages rapidly. There is certainly a YA vibe given the protagonist is a teenager but I am thoroughly engaged.


OK time to answer John's questions:

Q1: Well the original timeline must always be preserved I believe....for better or worse. If we made bad mistakes, we dont rectify them...we use those mistakes as a learning curve, no matter how bad or how large wether it be an atrocity, or global in scale, regardless it must happen and we move on and use it as an historical tool of progression. Creating an alternate timeline eradicating the existence of peoples lives and perhaps creating new alternating lives is clearly wrong. This should never be allowed. For this reason alone, I hope there is a universal lock on this ever occurring.

In the event that it has happened (and to finally get to the point of the discussion question!), what do we do? we have lives that have been wiped out of existence and new lives in their place or possibly more new lives than the original timeline. Do we try to restore the original timeline, erasing the new lives from existence and restoring back the original lives? Or do we sustain the new timeline and continue with efforts to prevent changes from ever happening again? Tough one. On the one hand, I would have thought to try to restore the original timeline because its just how it was meant to be. On the other hand, the universe ALLOWED the timeline to change. So if it allows this, then perhaps the universe is allowing us to choose the best timeline. But there is no best timeline. One timeline may be better for one person and a different timeline better for another. Globally, there is no best timeline either. Sure one timeline may have a global atrocity in one era but another timeline may have a global atrocity in another era. Which one is better? None.

So do we change it back? That depends on if there is a guarantee that we CAN restore the original timeline. If there is, then perhaps personally, I would favour restoring even if it does mean eradicating the poor innocent new lives of the new timeline. However, if its not straight forward to restore the original timeline and risk creating yet another alternate timeline, then I would favour placing more effort in preventing further changes and stick to the present timeline.

Either way, this question poses an incredible moral dilemma and I dont think there is a surefire answer to it. As for who has the right, well, no one except the universe or God if one believes in the divine.

Q2: Oh man did I just answer only one question so far?! Genetic gifts for our offspring - Well if its only an additional gift for the offspring, then I see no harm, its a bonus gift that the offdpring can choose to utilise if he/she wants. Its only harmful if this particular gift dictates the offspring's life/career and gives the offspring no choice but to live a career that utilises this genetic gift. Then that is wrong. Even if the offspring is conditioned to "want" to utilise the gift as a career, he/she may resent the parents for conditioning him/her to "wanting" that career in the first place. I know I bloody well would.

Q3 Ah, I think the beginning of my post answers this one.

Q4 All I can say about this idea is, its always makes for good narrative when a protagonist has been passed down a special skill, and only discovers their special skill when they reach teenage . Harry Potter, Sorcerer Apprentice, Percy Jackson etc...same thing and not much more I can expand on, apart from its a great plot device.

Responses to questions:

Let me first say that I got a free copy of the book from Rysa so thank you very much.

Having said that, and having completed it, here are my thoughts:


Question #1: Who has the right to choose? Ideally no one. But as soon as that happens somebody will abuse it. I would hope that somebody would use it for good but I'm almost leaning towards nobody should be able to do it. There's been to much fiction (are we sure it's fiction?) where bad things happen. Step on a butterfly, ....

Question #2: Choose genetic gifts? No. They will surely be abused. If they just happen so be it. I have a friend who's mother grew up in Ireland and the nun's in school tried to 'fix' her because she was left handed. Same idea with 'genetic gifts'. And worse that people will have to hide them for fear of being persecuted.

Question #3: Being a 16 year old girl is neither here nor there. It is what it is.

Question #4: Having something this powerful being a genetic gift means it will be abused. I'm sure somebody will kidnap someone with the ability and hold their family/friend hostage. (I guess I have a low opinion of humans.) I would hope that's not the case. It does sort of solve the question of who can go back and who can't. Just wonder about people abusing it.
But then I can go back in time and kill your grandmother and then....

There are a couple of discussion on time travel and I wish it had gone deeper. But if you asked me those same questions I'd say 'I dunno.' So good for Rysa.

As far as the plot hole - I never thought they would go back in time and tell Rysa to write the book because it was well received! :)

Just kidding (or am I?)

I'm going to jump ahead a couple of years so I can read the entire series.

See you soon (well in about 3 years) !

Howard wrote: "Paul, you speak from experience. I'm near halfway through your colonial TT book & your use of 1st person so far is very good indeed. I'm most anxious to learn the why & whom..."

Thanks, Howard. Time will tell. Let me assure you that the past will reveal itself in the very near future. :-)

I had another thought on Rysa's 1st person narrator (in addition to "well done!"). I'm only at 25%, since I drove 500 miles yesterday and it was difficult keeping my Kindle balanced on the steering wheel -- but Kate's dialogue with Trey demonstrates why the teen narrator makes sense. Is it likely that some old dude (over thirty) would spill the details of his incredible predicament to a stranger? Not really. But one friendly and attractive teenager to another? Much more likely and in character. Kate speaks openly and is smart enough to know it can't hurt -- not in comparison to the trouble she's already in. With the teens, it works.

Now I need to read further and get to those tougher questions. Enjoying the story.

Q1. who has the right to choose?
Well that's the very core of the most of the time-travel stories (whether books or movies). In back to the future trilogy we can see our main character going back and forth in order to make things right. AND HE DOES changes the time-line for the best by making his father more successful and braver.
And we are very much like that, i mean sent me 10 years back in time and there are alot of things that i'll change, there are alot of things that i'll make sure would never happen AND THAT will result in making my life "better" than it is now. It depends on the person with such a power that how he/she reacts and what is his/her mode of thinking and of-course his/her reasons for doing such.

Q2.genetic gifts" for our offspring.....

Very interesting and good question. I am sure that if you make pros and cons for having power to grant such abilities it may very well turn into lengthy discussions of people on both sides. IMO, if such power the choose the ability will exist, a lot of people are going to use it. People are already trying to make most of their own abilities to make their child’s future “better”. Giving him/her tutoring from the most expensive academies, extracurricular activities that’ll in turn help their children in future, it’s all ready been going on. Given such precedent I think most people will opt for anything that’ll benefit their kids in future BUT again a healthy discussion is needed on such topic.

Q3. First person perspective.
I think I already answered that in my previous post, but NO it doesn’t bother me anymore. I like it coz its easier to follow the story and more than a few times, its possibly be going to very fast paced.

Question #4: What do you think about the idea that time travel is based on some type of genetic trait and that only certain people are able to do it?
Well, if such power only exists in only particular group of genetics, there’ll be studies on gene alternation to obtain such power and if such ability or power is very exclusive to such group of people then obviously those group of people belong to the certain class of people. In that case who knows how many times future has been changes and since I am not in the “protected circle” I have no way of knowing it.
There are good and bad people are everywhere. We see in real life, we see in movies and we certainly see in the books. So, people with such time-travel ability will also be both good and bad. The question is given our current situation in the whole world, DO we want someone to change it for good keeping in mind that it may very well be changed into something worse.

John wrote: "I just thought of a couple more questions that might be a little simpler:

Question #3: Does the fact that this book is told in the first person from the perspective of a 16-year-old girl detract f..."

John wrote: "I just thought of a couple more questions that might be a little simpler:

Question #3: Does the fact that this book is told in the first person from the perspective of a 16-year-old girl detract f..."

John wrote: "Okay, so here are some questions to get the discussion started (with help from Rysa):

Question #1: In this story, our main character must wrestle with the fact that changing the past could result ..."

I don't mind reading in the first person perspective if it is well done, as this book it. Although I usually don't chose books with teenage protangonists, I think this is one that I will pass on to my daughter that she would enjoy. It is the story that hooks me, and right off the bat this was engaging. I immediately wanted to know what happened next...and next...and next.

As for the genetic question, I love the idea that the ability to time travel is based on a genetic trait. This limits the number of people who can do it, and it makes the main characters that much more interesting and "special" because they have that DNA. If everyone could do it, the implications would be astronomical. If, however, it is only a small amount of people with certain DNA characteristics that can TT, I think gives them all more to lose.

Overall impression? Loved this book.

E.B. wrote: "I love the idea that the ability to time travel is based on a genetic trait. This limits the number of people who can do it, ..."

Great point made by E.B. for Question #4. Some TT modes of transport, including genetic traits, limit access to the special few. And that may be good (though not equitable), so the time-ways don't start looking like LA freeways with special lanes for time-pools -- a recipe for disaster, with hordes of loose-cannon time tourists on holiday. In TTA, it seems that genetics and technology are required, and science is at work in both. While the trait can be passed on naturally by those who have the original enhancement, even that is limited. Interesting concept.

In a better world, this ability would be strictly limited to members of the GR Time Travel Group.

Paul wrote: "In a better world, this ability would be strictly limited to members of the GR Time Travel Group. "

Ha, of course! But with advances in dna manipulation which we are surely going to be pretty adept with judging the current progress scientists are making already, the genetic trait wouldnt be limited to inheritance or by natural selection for the GR Time Travel group. Even if that particular genetic gift is outlawed, it will surely be widely available in the black market...and that will lead to time travel chaos!

Tej, you should know that such a propensity is indeed a reality & so already here, it's just a very rare thing but, of course, one always needs a recipient to bring it to fruition.

Paul wrote: In a better world, this ability would be strictly limited to members of the GR Time Travel Group.


Oh, yes, I think that idea is fabulous, Paul! Our GR TT Group would be perfect as the designated DNA carrying Gifted Ones. ;)

E.B. wrote: "Oh, yes, I think that idea is fabulous, Paul! Our GR TT Group would be perfect as the..."

OK, then, travelers, but we'd better keep this quiet for now. I don't think the GR servers can handle the sudden deluge of membership requests. I'll go pack.

Well, well, 2 first person narrative books in 2 months.
First person narrative is more complex and has different "laws" that the other ones.
Long time ago books like this were few and mostly introspective books dealing with some philosophy. Hadrian's Memoirs (Yourcenar)The Egyptian (Waltari)the best examples coming to me now. And there were some hybrid books like The Name of The Rose, but Eco is always "different".

Things changed in the last 10-15 years, The Time Traveler's Wife being one of the books creating a new way. First person is used now more to show how characters deal with their reality in a quotidian way, dialogs + inner reflection, short action + inner reflection. With Hunger Games things moved to YA adults, it seems that girls really like this way of writing. The problem is when trying to push too much action in this. First half of Hunger Games was really good, the second part was really bad. But yeah, YA girls are not listening to me and keep reading and dreaming of killing squirrels, arrow in the eye of course.

Women authors are much better than men in this new wave, men seems lacking the sensibility to create such environment where short usual dialogs are mixed with introspection. A good example these 2 last books: Time Arrow really good sensible dialogs and inner thoughts revealing Katherine, Deceneus really good for the philosophic part and adventure but not so good in short dialogs and inner thinking trying to define a certain moment for the main character.

Okay, here is a new question for y'all.

Question #5: Saul demonstrates how easy it would be to manipulate religious faith with some advanced technology and knowledge of the future. Do you think the author's depiction of the Cyrists is believable? Does this aspect of the story enhance or detract from your enjoyment of the overall story?

John wrote: "Okay, here is a new question for y'all.

Question #5: Saul demonstrates how easy it would be to manipulate religious faith with some advanced technology and knowledge of the future. Do you think t..."

You're brave, John. But without getting into a discussion of religion (or politics) among friends, I'll simply say it's quite believable, even familiar. We find both sincere people and charlatans in all walks of life, and people in need, religious or otherwise, can be particularly vulnerable. 'nuff said.

This aspect neither enhances nor detracts for me at this point. It's a credible way to create a villain -- but I have some more reading to do!

Paul wrote: " You're brave, John. But without getting into a discussion of religion (or politics) among friends, I'll simply say ..."

Perhaps "easy" was a bad word choice. However, I have heard stories that Scientology was birthed as the result of a bet with L. Ron Hubbard who was bragging that he could create a new religious ideology that would become as popular as the orthodox denominations of his day.

But I digress. The question is not about the validity of modern religious groups but whether the inclusion of this theme in the book at hand is a plus or minus in regards to your reading experience.

I'm late to the party here ... just started reading this on my sitting-not-driving portion of a road trip today. Ah. How nice to read a book that allows your brain to go on cruise control after all the heavier reading I've been doing lately. So enjoyable.

I'll have to go through and read the conversations here when I get a chance, but I do want to answer the questions:

Question #1: Who has the right to choose alternate futures? Well, I'd hope not too many people would have the power to do this or we'd be in neverending flux. I suppose that if just a couple of people have the power, then let them change what's important to them ... and then throw away the key.

Question #2: I know I've been thrilled to see some of my "gifts" turn up in my child. I think I'd be a little disappointed not to see those sparks and interests in her. I don't see the harm in choosing something positive to be passed on genetically if you have that option given a sampling of possible embryos ... just as you'd opt to not choose an embryo with a genetic defect.

Question #3: I've always preferred books told in 1st person. I want to know what the main character is thinking. Then again, I used to have a hard time following movies because I couldn't know what was going on inside the characters' heads. Yes, a 3rd person narrator can tell you what the characters are thinking, but I'd really rather follow one person around and become that character for a while.

Question #4: I don't think genetic time travel would ever be something real. But the books I've read that feature this have been interesting. And it definitely limits the number of time travelers mucking up history.

There's something that I found interesting while reading. Katherine originally was time travelling to historical sites related to women's rights. She made an interesting statement that most civil rights movements have been closely tied to religious groups. I'm wondering if this is historically true. I'm not questioning the statement; I just find it interesting and am wondering about examples. I have a friend from a country in which women's rights are very far behind most modern women's rights. Having experienced life in the USA, she's itching to do something for women's rights in her country, and now I'm wondering if the best forum for that would be religious rather than some other means. It's interesting that religion seems often to stand at both the side of opposition to civil rights as well as as the side of advocacy for civil rights.

Also, I'm finding it interesting that the antagonist in this book has chosen religion as his vehicle of power. It's a wonder that fewer modern day tyrants don't chose it as their preferred method of power. But definitely the most effective way to take control over history would be religion. It's a wonder more fictional, power-thirsty time travelers haven't harnessed this to their advantage.

Amy wrote: ‘the antagonist in this book has chosen religion as his vehicle of power…’

Amy, your thrust is well taken but I think you’re missing the basic point involved.

The point is energy, something, as energetic beings, we all possess by definition & when humans interact this natural energy is merged & blended, again a natural thing that can’t be avoided.

This interaction can be positive or negative & therefore can be invigorating or draining, depending on circumstance.

Some people have an over-abundant amount of this natural energy (charisma) & such people often enter politics or religion as a means of pooling others with like-minded energy.

In politics, for example, the more people involved, the more elections are won, it’s just a matter of building the base, or the amount of energy harnessed.

So it is with any human endeavor & religion is but another example, so it’s not religion or politics per se that ‘takes control over history’ but the energy involved that leads to change.

And since you asked, this is covered in my 2nd Epic Fable.

Howard wrote: "Amy wrote: ‘the antagonist in this book has chosen religion as his vehicle of power…’

Amy, your thrust is well taken but I think you’re missing the basic point involved.

The point is energy, som..."

I'm not sure charisma is necessary when Saul has information, vision, and an obvious level of psychosis to back him up ... not to mention the ability to be able to "appear" to his congregation over hundreds of years. Make your congregation rich with great investment advice, make documented appearances throughout history, and set up a secret club within your religion and you have a recipe for success without a need for any sort of Charisma whatsoever. Traditionally, charisma has helped many religious leaders grow their congregations, but it's just not necessary here. However, there does seem to be a snowball effect occurring between reality shifts such that the Cyrists are multiplying. I haven't read the entire book yet, but it seems that each layer of effort to grow the religion is causing an exponential increase in membership for the future.

Anybody need a Self Rescuing Princess t-shirt? Yes, there really are such shirts.

*Adult: http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/b3e7/

*Child: http://www.heruniverseshop.com/Produc...

Um, I think I'll pass on the t-shirt. But good find, Amy.

John wrote: "Um, I think I'll pass on the t-shirt. But good find, Amy."

Really, John? You'd not wear a self-rescuing princess shirt? You know ... I think it would take a special type of personality for someone of either gender to wear that shirt.

Well, I finished the book last night and all I can say is this book is awesome. As I stated in my review, there were a lot of early warning signs that made me a little wary of this book. Could I identify with a story told from the point of view of a 16-year-old girl? Is this just another time travel romance? However, try as I might to not like this book I have to admit that it is really good. And now I find myself in that annoying place where I must wait for the next book. ARGH!!! So Rysa, if you are out there... how long are we going to have to wait?

John wrote: "Well, I finished the book last night and all I can say is this book is awesome. As I stated in my review, there were a lot of early warning signs that made me a little wary of this book. Could I ..."

I'll second your "ARGH!" John, as I'm not used to reading stories in a series and I was ready for more! Mainly because Rysa did such a nice job with this first installment. I was also wary of a YA book with a teen as the primary character, but this was a fast paced tale with a credible, likable, protagonist, and lots of creative twists and turns that you don't see coming. Except for one. A certain hotel-owning doctor with an unfortunate hobby was predictable soon as I saw the TT destination and the year, something I could normally do without in my reading, but guessed that the YA genre, and Rysa, might save us from too much on this subject. I was right. Excellent adventure with particular enjoyment for us TT aficionados.

I have to third the ARGHs. I stayed up well past my normal bedtime, reading by Kindle-light, under the covers, eyes flying in a frenzy from word to word. And then the book was over and I was frantically looking for a sequel only to find nothing.

Oh, Rysa, please say there's a sequel and it's coming soon!

Amy wrote: "I have to third the ARGHs. I stayed up well past my normal bedtime, reading by Kindle-light, under the covers, eyes flying in a frenzy from word to word. And then the book was over and I was franti..."

I love it , Amy -- "Reading by Kindle-light." Warmed by the Kindle-fire? The ancestors would be pleased.

I've been lurking, as I'm not entirely sure about the protocol for jumping in to discuss your own book. I've also been enjoying the rare chance to peek into the minds of readers as they are actually in the process of reading the book.

All of the ARGHs have lured me in, however. ;)

A CHRONOS novella, tentatively entitled Time's Echo, will be out in the summer. It will cover some of the events from this story from Kiernan's POV and will give additional insight on CHRONOS and its agenda. This will be a freebie or 99¢ eBook only.

Book II, Pendulum Past, should be finished by the end of the year. I've completed the background research and will just say that I've spent more time in 1905 Boston and late 1930s Georgia over the past few months than I have in the here and now. I think that's the true appeal of writing time-travel fiction-- you get so wrapped up in the details that it's almost like you have your own CHRONOS key.

I'll post a note here in the discussion group when the new works are out. If any of you are interested in beta reading, let me know. There might even be a "Self-Rescuing Princess" t-shirt for volunteers.

Rysa wrote: "I've been lurking, as I'm not entirely sure about the protocol for jumping in to discuss your own book. I've also been enjoying the rare chance to peek into the minds of readers as they are actu..."

Please, please jump in at any time!

You know, I have to say that having read quite a lot of time travel books since starting this group, less of them than you would think seem to focus on real historical details. I was intrigued by the link that you offered at the end of the novel to walk through the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago. I'll have to give that a try. I was lamenting that we don't have World's Fairs anymore, but a quick internet search says that we do, but there hasn't been one held in the USA since 1984. The last one was in 2012 in Korea. The next one is set for Milan in 2015, but the USA isn't participating. I'm wondering why not.

Be sure to update us when Time's Echo and Pendulum Past is available! It sounds like there are several of us that absolutely cannot wait.

P.S. I'd love to help you beta read ... minus the self-rescuing princess t-shirt. ;)

So did anyone figure out what the "Easter egg" was? I thought about it while I was reading, but I guess I don't know that much about the historical events from the book.

I was looking for it as I read, but I never found it either.

This book was really enjoyable. The fair was a great choice for a setting for a story with time travel, and I thought the problem of the protagonist faced with two young men with whom she could be/has been/might be equally attached but can only choose one was interesting.

1. When faced with the possibility of creating an alternate future, who has the right to choose?

No one has the “right” to choose, unless it became a matter of law rather than of ethics. Ethically, if a person has the ability to change the past and therefore the future, they will have to do what they think is right upon comparing the former timeline to the newly extant one. A world without Hitler, for example, might be something to accept. A world in which Harpers Ferry was not invaded by James Brown might be too, but it might not, given that it was one of the primary events that brought the Civil War to pass and slavery to be done away with in the U.S. However, as Kate finds, not choosing is not an option.



2. We don't currently have the ability to choose "genetic gifts" for our offspring, but it's something that could, arguably, exist within a matter of decades. Could a reasonable line be drawn or is this a Pandora's Box that should never be opened?

If everyone has the ability to choose a “gift” for their offspring, and it is not a matter of being wealthy or poor, then I don’t see anything wrong with it, though I think it would be better for people to pick their own “gifts.” No one would be blamed but oneself for having picked the “wrong” gift.


3. I don’t mind whose point of view a story is told from as long as it is consistent or varies intentionally and consistently! (And as long as it’s in past tense.) A couple of times Kate sounded to me a little older than 16, but it wasn’t problematic.

I still have good 50/60 pages to go so even if ANYONE finds the "Easter egg", plz hold on to that till next week. I'll be finished by then.

Question #5: Saul demonstrates how easy it would be to manipulate ....


In short YES. And the reason is very simple, by knowing the futuristic events you can indeed manipulate people mind by confusing them with prophecies. And writer added one other thing which was "if you believe me, your earthly desires will also be fulfilled, (with money and high power jobs etc).

I've read alot of History and you can find plenty of examples where religion was the very base of changing minds people or a particular group of people for ones own benefit.

Within one year the Protestant reformation changed the Christianity forever, it was mainly started by just two people Martin Luther and John Calvin in 16th century. Now Cyristism started in 15th century by an intelligent dude with all the knowledge of future and his perception of the fact that people are in general GREEDY. I say there would've been more cyrists if if wasn't for their strict rules.

I am also still reading this (45% in) and enjoying the hell out of it. Love the character and most importantly very attached to the main protagonist and her woes of such heavy responabilities laid on her.

As for the Tome Travel element...what a brain busting bundle of fun its proving to be.

I will answer discussion questions soon, sorry I am so slow...

I finished reading this book before the group discussion began, and I loved, loved, loved the story, the characters, and can't wait to read the sequel. It is currently sitting at #546 on the listopia list for Best time Travel Books.
If you liked this book go to the list and give it a vote. You areallowed to vote for as many books on the list as you liked. Here is link:http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/21...

It's now at #216 and on a different page: http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/21...

#210 and climbing.

Heather wrote: "I finished reading this book before the group discussion began, and I loved, loved, loved the story, the characters, and can't wait to read the sequel. It is currently sitting at #546 on the listop..."

When I get to the point that I can afford a publicist, I hope that you will all forward me your resumes. :)

#146!

First of all where is the list, i browsed it a bit and only found out the category YA+time travel in which this book is at #3 spot.

So, i finished the book yesterday and i don't know if i found the "Easter Egg" or not. From my understanding of the Easter Egg question i think we were suppose to find the "actual historical" error and not the errors in the "Chronos Universe". For example i couldn't get the idea of the following line about Kiernan (its when Connor is showing Kate pics of this Grandfather+family He (Kiernan) came over as a child with his parents to work on one of the Cyrist collective farms that sprang up in the Midwest during the mid-1800s

Now does this mean that Kiernan was working in mid 1800's which can't be true coz he was 8 year old child in 1893 OR does this means that in mid 1800's Cyrist farms were booming at some later decades of 1800's, Kirnan Dunne came to farm to work with his family.
Again these questions are related to the Chronos universe so i can't pinpoint the errors since TTA was the very 1st episode of the whole plot.

The only real error i could come across was the year of Declaration of Sentiments (signed by 68 women and 32 men) in 1848. BUT in Chronos universe it was signed in 1838 and total members were 101 (instead of 100).

Now, i don't know if this is correct or not BUT If this Easter Egg is in the last 100~ pages of the book then i really haven't noted coz the pace of the book was really fast in those pages so i just went along with it without thinking too much.

Prudence is my favorite character btw. She had a very brief appearance in the book yet her ethics were amazingly convincing according the her beliefs and she is definitely the most intelligent character of the book (atleast, according to my understanding).

Jonsnow3x wrote: "First of all where is the list, i browsed it a bit and only found out the category YA+time travel in which this book is at #3 spot.

Here is link-It is currently at 130


http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/21...

Jonsnow3x wrote: "The only real error i could come across was the year of Declaration of Sentiments (signed by 68 women and 32 men) in 1848. BUT in Chronos universe it was signed in 1838 and total members were 101 (instead of 100). "

Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner! The Declaration of Sentiments was indeed signed in 1848. In book 2, we'll learn what's up with that document reading 1838 and Prudence will definitely play a role there. :)

To what address should I send your Starbucks card? Or would you rather have it in Amazon $$ to spend on books? Personally, I'm addicted to both, but I know that not everyone is fueled and ruled by caffeine :)