Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Review: Invictus by Ryan Graudin

Title: Invictus
Author: Ryan Graudin
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Little Brown Books For Young Readers (September 26, 2017)
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Sci Fi/Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 Stars!


Book Description:
Farway Gaius McCarthy was born outside of time. The son of a time-traveling Recorder from 2354 AD and a gladiator living in Rome in 95 AD, Far's birth defies the laws of nature. Exploring history himself is all he's ever wanted, and after failing his final time-traveling exam, Far takes a position commanding a ship with a crew of his friends as part of a black market operation to steal valuables from the past. 

But during a heist on the sinking Titanic, Far meets a mysterious girl who always seems to be one step ahead of him. Armed with knowledge that will bring Far's very existence into question, she will lead Far and his team on a race through time to discover a frightening truth: History is not as steady as it seems.


In this heart-stopping adventure, Ryan Graudin has created a fast-paced world that defies time and space.









When I saw this one Netgalley I was immediately intrigued by it. I am inexplicably drawn to books about time travel. The allure of being able to wrong past mistakes and take in a part of history that we would never experience otherwise has always been something I've been fascinated by. Add in a small dose of sci fi and characters that you can't help but be drawn to and Invictus surprised me in the best ways possible. 

Truly from the alluring prologue this story captured my attention and refused to let go. Instead, one chapter turned into two and before I knew it I was reading late into the night and unable to fall asleep until my eyes grew so heavy I had no choice but to put it down and even then I resisted the Sandman's charm with superhuman strength I didn't even know I possessed.

This series was so much fun. From the characters to the whole time travel aspect to the sci fi appeal of what the future could be like if we're not careful to the mystery of Faraway and Eliot themselves, it was so addicting and so very hard to put down.  I was enthralled with the it all and once again I find myself being blown away by a story that not only took me by surprised but made me excited about this genre again. 




*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

36 comments:

  1. I LOVE time travel books. I am like you! If I had a super powers they would be time travel, and reading peoples minds...hehehe! I would love to go back and interview people from the past, or just sit in a room with them! Great review Ali!

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    1. Thanks so much Becca and I know you would love this one too. ;)

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  2. I'm reading this one right now and it's brilliant! Time travel doesn't always work for me, but you're so right about this one. It's got me excited about the genre too. I can't wait to read more.

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    1. Yay! So happy to hear that Nick, it really is so well done and so darn interesting!

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  3. I loved Ryan's Wolf by Wolf duology and I'm SO excited for this one. I'm glad you liked it so much.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I need to try that one, I for some reason, hadn't heard of his work before but I loved this so I'm excited to try more!

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  4. I haven't tried this author before but the premise caught my eye right away. I got an ARC for this one and I'm looking forward to picking it up. I'm thrilled that you liked this one and I'm hoping I will like it as much.

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    1. I really think you are going to love this one too!

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  5. Holy cow I can see why you'd be intrigued what a fabulous premise. Hmmm I many have to grab this one too!

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    1. I seriously hope you do, it doesn't read like a YA at all and I think you would like it. ;)

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  6. I know Heidi, I'm so excited about it. This is the second or third one I've come across so far this year that has been really good and not the norm. It makes me a bit excited again for this genre.

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  7. Ooo you have me so curious. I wonder if it will come across my email as an audio..I am adding to my list!

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  8. I sometimes like time travel stories too.

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    1. For some reason I;m always drawn to them but this was one of the better ones I've read.

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  9. The premise sounds intriguing but your review sold me! It's rare I have a stay up late reading book anymore!

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    1. I know me too. It is nice to have them once in a while. ;)

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  10. This sounds so good! I do like a good time travel book and this one sounds both fun and almost thrillerish? Thanks for putting it on my radar!

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    1. A little bit actually. There is a lot of action. ;)

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  11. I love it when a book grabs my attention to the point where I'll forgo sleep. I'm not too happy the next day when I have to get up and go to work, lol! I like that this is a standalone. I'll check it out. :)

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    1. Yeah no one is ever happy the next day. ;) I really liked that it was a stand alone as well. We need more of those.

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  12. Time travel! Okay, just requested it on NG, let's see if they'll approve it this late. Darn you making me request books.

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    1. I bet they will. I hope you get it because I do think you will like it.

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  13. I love it the books about time travel and interdimensional travels. I am currently reading A Million Worlds with You by Claudia Gray and now I am open to read book of that style. Great book.

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    1. Oh I read that one and liked it too! A Thousand Worlds or something like that? It's a good series. :D

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  15. it is true that it sounds good but it is the first time I hear about it

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  16. I've heard a lot of good things about it, it is def on my radar. sounds like I need to prepare for an all nighter

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  17. This sounds like a blast. Apparently I need this book!

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  18. I first heard about this one from Nick in our weekly recap and she loved it too. I love that it's a stand a lone even if this genre is not my cup of tea :)

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    1. It really isn't my go to genre either but it really was fabulous.

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