Bob Kat

Fifth in the Time Shifters series, Not My Life stands alone successfully as a fascinating teen novel, exploring recent history and great themes of justice and love, and inviting readers to see the world through different eyes. Just because a man is homeless… just because a husband was found guilty… just because… The intrepid heroes, armed with the nerd’s clever phone app, the jock’s loyalty, the cheerleader’s gradual recognition that there’s more to life, and the new girl’s unsteady independence, head into the past again to save lives and redeem the future.

Of course, changing the past can have its problems. Even being in the past is problematic if your coins have the wrong dates on them. And how can a girl straighten her hair? The world’s big issues of justice, danger and drugs balance nicely with teen issues of friendship and love in this novel. And the world of the recent past is nicely researched and cleverly presented. At least dressing for the task will be easy since 70s styles are back in fashion!

I love these characters. They're very real teens, living lives where romance can breathe, first kisses are awkward, and real life might be compared to a computer game rather than the other way around. The humor is fun, the pathos is cool, and the dilemmas are smart, thought-provoking, and very well played. Highly recommended!

Disclosure: I was given a pre-release ecopy and I offer my honest review… (altro)

OMG is a fun tween novel with a pleasing blend of mystery, gently romantic undertones, and genuine teen interests. OMG, like CUL8R, is text-speak of course, and one of these teens is the sort of cool nerd who might quietly invent a cell-phone app then try it out, without being totally sure he’s thought through the consequences. Which, of course, makes for a fast fun adventure story, set in a mix of the present day and 1966. A chance to watch the original Star Trek, or listen to the Monkees! What could be wrong with that, well, except that it’s time travel and changing the past might be a little dodgy.

Kelly’s an excellent protagonist with a very convincing voice. Her body-image is as flawed as many teens’, and her self-confidence isn’t helped by the fact that her parents have just died, plunging her into a whole new life with a new school on the horizon. But neighbors Scott and Austin befriend her, and soon she’s clearing out her aunt’s garage, finding Edison’s long lost Spirit Radio, and wishing she could save everyone. But perhaps, with friends like these, there really might be an app for that.

A great ensemble cast is gathered together. Today’s high tech teens struggle, sometimes hilariously, to cope in the not-so-distant past. And pitch-perfect dialog coupled with a wonderful sense of timing make this is a really good, quick read, with fine values, exciting adventure, and even some pleasingly wise snippets of food for thought. This looks like a really fun series, and it’s well worth following.

Disclosure: I met the author on facebook and jumped at the chance of a free copy during a kindle promotion.… (altro)

Kelly, Scott, Austin and Zoey have had other time travel adventures before Bob Kat’s teen novel, RIP, begins, but it’s easy to pick up the thread even if you’ve not ready the earlier novels (I hadn’t). The story starts with Kelly and Austin’s growing relationship, but Austin thinks Kelly’s with Scott and so... Very natural teen relationships ensue, from frantic drives across town to crowded beach for a fireworks party. These are very real and relatable teens, but they also have a secret Spirit Radio and a phone app that lets them move into the past. And Zoey, who might fall for Scott, once fell head over heels for a circus guy back in 1927.

The novel is a pleasing mix of genres, blending the present day with well-researched history, and combining intriguing sci fi with mystery and paranormal ghost story. Historical and geographical details ring true, and the chance to drive a Stanley Steamer in an early car race (where finishing first really isn’t the point) offers a thoroughly enjoyable interlude to investigation and adventure. Of course, there’s always the butterfly effect too, restricting quite what these intrepid explorers can do.

Emma’s voice from the Spirit Radio pleads for help finding her missing child. And the four teens are sure they can save her from abduction, even as the list of suspects grows longer. But a ghostly red ball and other distractions complicate the plan.

The story’s sometimes slow, but only where necessarily for new readers needing to learn where these teens are coming from. As the adventure progresses the action speeds up, and there are some thoroughly enjoyable scenes of modern teens dropped into a world of servants below stairs. The plot’s well-drawn. The history’s well-researched. And the whole is a pleasing teen novel, with just enough heart-searching to provoke curiosity and empathy--and a desire to catch up on earlier tales.

Disclosure: I was lucky enough to be given an eArc before publication.… (altro)

Kelly was a student in high school when her parents were killed in an auto accident. Still needing a guardian, she went to live with her Aunt in another town. There she met two friends, Scott and Austin. While cleaning out her aunt’s garage, they discover an old radio. Scott tinkered around with it and was able to get it working, where they hear a voice from Wendy, claiming she didn’t do it and needed help.

Scott was able to configure their phones to enable them to travel and find Wendy, a high school senior who committed suicide. Through determination for wanting to help someone, they were able to uncover the real story of Wendy.

Quick read with a great bond of friendship. Not what I was expecting when I first started the book, it keeps you turning the pages. The characters are typical high school students and their parents, giving it a real feel. A true test of friendship, determination and the need to help others.… (altro)