Ryan Graudin

*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher at ALA. This is an honest review.*

I LOVE time travel books, so when someone else compared this to Doctor Who, I knew I had to read this. Invictus is sort of a YA version of Michael Crichton's Timeline, except with a better plot and a much better concept of how travel between time and space might work. The main character, Farway, is sabotaged during his final exam to become a time traveler, but that's all he's ever wanted to be. show more Especially since his mother disappeared during a time travel mission of her own and he's planning on saving her, so he finds his own way to time travel: become a smuggler.

I liked the worldbuilding in this book, and especially enjoyed how the concept of time travel is handled. It's a new-ish thing for the world, so they don't really have it all figured out; they don't know the consequences of time travel or what happens if you change things (that saves a lot of time and debate about the mechanics of it). My favorite part is that they have a system designed to help you fit into the time you're going to. There's a dedicated historian who has studies fashion and such from different decades to help the person actually going out onto the field not be totally obvious. So brilliant!

The characters are also delightful. They kind of just go with the flow and don't really have too much of a plan, but are smart enough to get themselves out of trouble when it calls for it. Reminds me exactly of post-college grad kids. It's lovely. Their friendship and dedication to each other is also heartwarming and perfect and made me root for them so hard. There's some romance, but it doesn't take over the story, which is my preferred version of romance.

The story itself is CRAZY. It starts off slow to make sure there's a solid foundation in place and then just takes off and has twists and turns and surprises. I was kept in suspense the whole time and loved the ride. Overall, I think it ended nicely, though I would have liked just a couple more things explained. But, there weren't any glaring plot holes by the end of it, which I considered I feat of magic on Graudin's part.

Definitely read this if you're a time travel fan, and maybe consider reading it even if you're not. It's one of the best time travel books I've read and has such great characters and a thrilling story. show less

Historical fiction has never exactly been my cup of tea, but thanks to the genius writing of Ryan Graudin, alternate history is quickly becoming a new favorite of mine.

I've fallen in love with so many more characters than I could possibly count over my many years of avid reading, but I'm almost certain that I've never adored a character quite as much as I adore Yael. She's a fiery shapeshifter with a knack for taking incredibly dangerous risks in order to exact revenge on those who have show more wronged her. In other words, she's an incredible main character and the literary love of my life.

The plot of this book moves along at a breakneck speed, and it's kind of phenomenal. Wolf by Wolf is filled to the brim with plot twists, backstabbing, revenge, redemption, love, enmity, and everything in between. There's never a dull moment.

Aside from having the single most intriguing premise of all time, this book has such complex characters and brilliant character development throughout.

The distinction between historical fiction and fantasy is more or less nonexistent in this novel— likely one many reasons it's so delightfully unique and imaginative. It might very well be the most peculiar book I've had the chance to read, which is the highest praise I can think of. There's nothing not to love about Wolf by Wolf. show less

The year is 1956, and the Axis powers of the Third Reich and Imperial Japan rule. To commemorate their Great Victory, they host the Axis Tour: an annual motorcycle race across their conjoined continents. The prize? An audience with the highly reclusive Adolf Hitler at the Victor's ball in Tokyo.

Yael, a former death camp prisoner, has witnessed too much suffering, and the five wolves tattooed on her arm are a constant reminder of the loved ones she lost. The resistance has given Yael one show more goal: Win the race and kill Hitler. A survivor of painful human experimentation, Yael has the power to skinshift and must complete her mission by impersonating last year's only female racer, Adele Wolfe. This deception becomes more difficult when Felix, Adele's twin brother, and Luka, her former love interest, enter the race and watch Yael's every move.

But as Yael grows closer to the other competitors, can she be as ruthless as she needs to be to avoid discovery and stay true to her mission? show less

Gah, ok, so this is a book that is incredibly hard to put down -- fast paced (like a bullet train is fast paced), alt-history motorcycle race and a plot to assassinate Hitler. Great main character, too, in the shifting Yael, with her spy's lack of self.

I personally found the very concept of a world where Hitler won to be so horrifying that I couldn't put that aside and enjoy the book. The underlying darkness and despair is pretty much impossible to shake, and I recognize that as fantastic show more writing, even as I walk away from this series. Too much for me, but don't let that stop you. show less