Review of If Time Stood Still
Authors and publishers are not able to post replies in the review topics.
- María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 5266
- Joined: 27 Apr 2018, 16:22
- Favorite Book: The Nightingale
- Currently Reading: The Mothers
- Bookshelf Size: 2401
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mar-a-andrea-fern-ndez-sep-lveda.html
- Latest Review: You Say Goodbye by Keith Steinbaum
Review of If Time Stood Still
We’ve all thought about the possibility of going back to the past and changing it. But Summer Thompson actually has the chance to do it. The first time Summer breaks the rules and has a party in her parents’ absence has disastrous consequences. In her sorrow, Summer meets a brooding stranger that can offer her the opportunity of going back in time and correcting her mistakes. But should she? And who is Chris, the stranger? If Time Stood Still by Paula Marie is a YA novel that follows sixteen-year-old Summer who, when her life is upended, is forced into a path of exploring new aspects of herself, discovering family secrets, and experimenting with her relationships, which will lead her to life-altering revelations.
There’s much to praise in this novel. First, I want to mention that I rarely read sci-fi. I don’t have a science-oriented brain, and the physics details that these novels usually include baffle me and bore me. Thankfully, the author keeps time-travel concepts simple and understandable without falling into info-dumping, but while also keeping the plot coherent. The narrative of this novel is outstanding. Summer’s inner monologues were like hearing myself talk when I was a teen, and the dialogues are authentic. Furthermore, the pacing of the plot is flawless: the author never falls into the dreaded plot slumps, but she doesn’t overwhelm the reader with non-stop action either. Honestly, this is one of the most balanced reads I’ve read in that regard. Likewise, the author scores another hit by creating a harmonious, fascinating blend of romance, sci-fi, coming-of-age, and adventure. Additionally, I want to applaud that the author keeps the book age-appropriate. This is a YA novel, and Summer is almost seventeen years old, which means some adult topics are approached, but Paula Marie doesn’t go over the top with profanity or sexual references. Finally, the imagery and action scenes of this book would make a fascinating movie (please, Hollywood!)
Only two flaws hinder this marvelous novel from being flawless. First, there are a ton of editing mistakes that could’ve been easily prevented. The vast majority of them comprise unnecessary spaces in between words and punctuation marks. Second, the book ends in a drastic cliffhanger. On the one hand, I’m happy this means there’s a second installment coming because I enjoyed the novel immensely, but I can see how this can bother readers like me that need a sense of closure when finishing a book.
Every literary aspect of this novel is perfect: a relatable plot, even pacing, impeccable character development, and realistic dialogues. Unfortunately, the editing mistakes and the abrupt ending prevent me from giving this book a perfect score. Therefore, I rate If Time Stood Still by Paula Marie 3 out of 4 stars.
I would recommend this novel to teenagers and adults alike who enjoy romance, adventure, sci-fi, and coming-of-age novels. However, this is not a classic tech-filled, physics-focused sci-fi novel nor a typical fairy tale romance, so I would not recommend it to readers who need novels to follow a traditional genre pattern. Readers who can’t stand a sudden cliffhanger might feel frustrated with the novel.
******
If Time Stood Still
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
-
- Posts: 84
- Joined: 14 Oct 2021, 19:34
- Currently Reading: Vicious
- Bookshelf Size: 185
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-areeba-m.html
- Latest Review: Solaris Seethes (Solaris Saga book 1) by Janet McNulty
I love time travel stories. All those possibilities of what-ifs make these kind of stories a fascinating read.
- marta baglioni
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 607
- Joined: 18 May 2021, 12:42
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 41
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-marta-baglioni.html
- Latest Review: Shatter Girl by Shay Miranda
-
- Posts: 161
- Joined: 21 Sep 2021, 03:56
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 24
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-nonso-ok.html
- Latest Review: A Murder in Brownsville by Donald Steven Collins
- María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 5266
- Joined: 27 Apr 2018, 16:22
- Favorite Book: The Nightingale
- Currently Reading: The Mothers
- Bookshelf Size: 2401
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mar-a-andrea-fern-ndez-sep-lveda.html
- Latest Review: You Say Goodbye by Keith Steinbaum
I should've mentioned that these minor mistakes hardly diminish the reading enjoyment unless one is especially persnickety. But I hope the author fixes them. Thank you for your kind comment.
- María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 5266
- Joined: 27 Apr 2018, 16:22
- Favorite Book: The Nightingale
- Currently Reading: The Mothers
- Bookshelf Size: 2401
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mar-a-andrea-fern-ndez-sep-lveda.html
- Latest Review: You Say Goodbye by Keith Steinbaum
Don't let the YA category deter you. I enjoyed it immensely, and I'm way over 30!
Thank you for your comment!
- María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 5266
- Joined: 27 Apr 2018, 16:22
- Favorite Book: The Nightingale
- Currently Reading: The Mothers
- Bookshelf Size: 2401
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mar-a-andrea-fern-ndez-sep-lveda.html
- Latest Review: You Say Goodbye by Keith Steinbaum
It's fascinating. And I can't stand info-dumping, either.
Hope you enjoy it! Thank you for your comment!
- Lisa A Rayburn
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 2977
- Joined: 09 May 2018, 07:34
- Currently Reading: Fluff Dragon
- Bookshelf Size: 267
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-lisa-a-rayburn.html
- Latest Review: Nightlord: Sunset by Garon Whited
- Reading Device: B018QAYM7C
-
- Posts: 2
- Joined: 16 Oct 2021, 13:49
- Bookshelf Size: 0
"It sounds like my cup of tea in winters"
It is just awesome,,,,
I just love this type of novels.
- Astral Magi
- Posts: 1309
- Joined: 09 Aug 2021, 14:46
- Favorite Book: Name of the Wind
- Currently Reading: Crossroads
- Bookshelf Size: 523
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-astral-magi.html
- Latest Review: Island Games by Caleb J. Boyer
- María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 5266
- Joined: 27 Apr 2018, 16:22
- Favorite Book: The Nightingale
- Currently Reading: The Mothers
- Bookshelf Size: 2401
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mar-a-andrea-fern-ndez-sep-lveda.html
- Latest Review: You Say Goodbye by Keith Steinbaum
Even with the abrupt ending, I enjoyed it immensely.
Thank you for your kind comment!
- María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 5266
- Joined: 27 Apr 2018, 16:22
- Favorite Book: The Nightingale
- Currently Reading: The Mothers
- Bookshelf Size: 2401
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mar-a-andrea-fern-ndez-sep-lveda.html
- Latest Review: You Say Goodbye by Keith Steinbaum
I hope you enjoy it!Asma Asma 3 wrote: ↑17 Oct 2021, 22:10 This novel is totally about romance,,,,I just want to read this novel at the age of teens,,,,,
"It sounds like my cup of tea in winters"
It is just awesome,,,,
I just love this type of novels.
Thank you for your comment.
- María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 5266
- Joined: 27 Apr 2018, 16:22
- Favorite Book: The Nightingale
- Currently Reading: The Mothers
- Bookshelf Size: 2401
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mar-a-andrea-fern-ndez-sep-lveda.html
- Latest Review: You Say Goodbye by Keith Steinbaum
I know! It has everything and the genres are blended seamlessly. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you!
-
- Posts: 1
- Joined: 18 Oct 2021, 13:40
- Bookshelf Size: 0
- Paluk Pathania
- Posts: 533
- Joined: 11 Aug 2021, 06:00
- Favorite Book: Pride and Prejudice
- Currently Reading: All the Light We Cannot See
- Bookshelf Size: 62
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-paluk-pathania.html
- Latest Review: Bitcoin Answered by Jon Law