In Times Like These

Excellent Time Travel Adventure

If you like time travel and books/films like Dark Matter, Lost, 12 Monkeys, the Time Traveler's Wife, National Treasure, the you will absolutely love this book!
The author introduced an innovative time travel concept/tool, and kept it very consistent throughout the entire book. The pace is fast and very engaging, it keeps the reader on edge at just the right spots. All the characters are very likeable and well-developed. I didn't want the book to end, but when it did, the ending was satisfying and closed off the plot well.

Definite give this book a try, and you will be hooked within the first 15 minutes!

16 of 16 people found this review helpful

A Fun, Unique Time Travel Tale

4.5★ Audiobook⎮In Times Like These was such a fun listen. I’ve heard a fair amount of time travel tales and this is one of the most fun. All authors approach time travel differently and Van Coops’ take is one of the more unique that I’ve encountered. I thought he did an excellent job of spacing explanations and revelations out in this story. Some time travel stories (and stories, in general) have a tendency to unload information in concentrated “dumps”. That can put a lot of pressure on the reader to process everything at once. Considering the amount of information that needed to be delivered here, In Times Like These was pretty “dump-free”.

My primary experience with In Times Like These is, oddly enough, one of relief. A few months ago I was in a “cart before horse” situation as I listened to The Chronothon (#2 in this series). I respect that some readers don’t mind taking on a series out of order, but I’m not one of them. Because I rate titles based on my enjoyment level, the cart/horse situation greatly impacted my review of The Chronothon (which I’ll now need to amend).

When In Times Like These became available on audio, I jumped at the chance to fill the gaps in my experience with the series. In my review of The Chronothon, I predicted that at least 75% of my complaints with that particular title “could be nullified by hearing In Times Like These“. That’s why I was so relieved by my positive experience with In Times Like These. I really wanted to enjoy The Chronothon, but I didn’t have everything I needed to do so at the time. Now I do and I’ve become pretty obsessed with the series. Needless to say, I’m on pins and needles waiting for the third installment!

In Times Like These instilled in me a love of the characters and a better understanding of them on a personal level. Most importantly, I now have a vital understanding of the way time works in the series universe. It was a bit difficult to catch onto at first, mostly because it’s pretty far off from the time travel theories in other science fiction books I’ve heard, but I think I’m getting there. In Times Like These greatly amplified my understanding of all that, as well as my appreciation.

My only standing complaint echoed from my review of The Chronothon is that there is a mildly obvious lack of world-building. The writing is still very plot-centric and requires more than a good deal of suspension of disbelief. The series’ scientific background is not as firmly grounded as in some other time travel tales and it leans more heavily on the fiction part of science fiction than the science part. That didn’t bother me too much, but you may want to be aware of it going in.

Overall, this was a really fast-moving story. I’ve come to expect that from Van Coops. It was much more tolerable in In Times Like These than The Chronothon. Imagine if the movie Hot Tub Time Machine was a book and wasn’t cheesy or terrible. In Times Like These took everything I loved about that movie (time traveling back to the 80s) and made even better. The imagery Van Coops used when describing the 80s was very entertaining. There were pop culture references scattered throughout the story (plenty of Back to the Future and Doctor Who) which always put a smile on my face.

I started this audiobook in an effort to proactively quell the impending book hangover from Empire of Storms, but after the first three hours of In Times Like These, I halted listening to Empire of Storms altogether. In Times Like These consumed my attention completely. If that’s not an overwhelming endorsement, I don’t know what is. Towards the end, I tried exerting some self-restraint to ration the rest of the audiobook, but I was too weak. 14 hours of listening is nothing when you’re that wrapped up in a story.

Narration review: Neil Hellegers was a huge part of what made this audiobook so fun. His voice conveyed an urgency and vibrancy that helped give the story its tempo. I can’t tell you how far that went towards holding my attention. He is an excellent action narrator. The narration was somewhat reminiscent of an Aaron Sorkin production. Sorkin’s work in television (and movies) is famous for really fast dialogue. Hellegers’ narration held the up-tempo even when the writing pace slowed. In case I’m not being clear: That was a really great thing. It took a lot of pressure off me as a listener because he held my attention so effortlessly. Hellegers’ narration style and Van Coops’ fast-paced writing made for quite the adventure! ♣︎

➜ This audiobook was graciously gifted to me by its narrator, Neil Hellegers, in exchange for a review containing my honest thoughts and opinions. Thanks, Neil!

11 of 11 people found this review helpful

Well-told Time Traveling Tale with some Twists

Would you listen to In Times Like These again? Why?

Yes, this was a great book to get lost in for hours at a time. A few parts were a bit predictable, but overall a great story and there were definitely some twists and interesting plot choices.

What does Neil Hellegers bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Absolutely loved the narration! Perfect pace and register. Used different voices for various characters without coming across too cartoony or theatrical at all.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

There was no added fluff in this book. I enjoyed that the storyline kept moving and had I had >13 hours of chores or something similar to do, I could have definitely listened through in one go. I actually appreciated while listening that the characters kept declining downtime and continued with the action.

Any additional comments?

Being a physicist, I enjoyed the few times some technical aspects were brought up in the story. They didn't bog down the plot or over-complicate at all. Made the entire book feel a bit more researched and knowledgeable, which I enjoyed.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

My favorite book in 30 credits

Would you listen to In Times Like These again? Why?

Yes, I'd listen to this book again, if for no other reason just to enjoy the narration of Neil Hellegers. But there are probably things I missed in my eagerness to devour the story the first time around.

What other book might you compare In Times Like These to and why?

Not a book, but maybe Back To the Future for the modern age meets Friends. Boy, that's a crappy comparison,. It's not like anything else, forget I said that. It's unique. A guy and his friends embark oin an awesome adventure, and there isn't a bunch of lame history to drag through - the story just starts and never stops. It's a wild ride that never lets you catch your breath.

Have you listened to any of Neil Hellegers’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I had not, but I became such a fan that I got four more of his books after this!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

You can't go home again. Or can you?

Any additional comments?

This book made me want to have a longer commute, take my dogs for another walk around the block, and I didn't want to stop listening. I adore this author. I TRUST this author to take me on a journey, to surprise me, to entertain me. I highly recommend this book if you're looking for something fun and different, and you like sci-fi, twilight zone type stories where things just are not as they should be.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

This was so very refreshing!

If you could sum up In Times Like These in three words, what would they be?

Engaging, interesting, fun

What other book might you compare In Times Like These to and why?

We Are Legion, We are Bob, because the there was a balance of humor and suspense.

What about Neil Hellegers’s performance did you like?

He is very easy to listen to. Character voices are consistent and not overdone. Appropriate and flowing narration.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not extreme...which is good. My favorite thing is that there were so many characters that were kind, and genuinely cared about each other...there was only one villain, he was just in the background. These days, it seems all books and movies are jam packed with narcissistic zeros...they justify their horrible behavior, and we are supposed to root for them. Every other person is a sociopath at best, subterfuge, lies, abuse, torture, zombies, disease, violence. I know that is how the real world is, but I can watch the news or just look around to experience those things, sometimes I want to imagine what it would be like, if there were real everyday heroes, people who can't imagine hurting others just because they can...people who actually inspire us, and fill us hope. I want to hear about people in difficult situations who work together, keep their cool, and refuse to slip into darkness. Great Book.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Fun, Exciting, Interesting

I really enjoyed this. Quite a romp through time, full of adventure and non stop action. The characters were a lot of fun to get to know and the time travel plot was complex but well written. I felt I was even understanding it. The narrator was great too. Altogether a great read!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Brain engaging and entertaining

This book was a lot of fun to listen to. Imaginative, well written, and well told.

Lots of action, danger, and possibilities. I love the loyalty and friendship between Ben, Carson, Robby, Francesca, and Blake. And I really loved Dr. Quickly and Mr. Cameron.

Time travel hasn't really ever been something I've been terribly interested in reading but, this book was just so unique and adventure packed that it was so enjoyable.

The narrator did a fantastic job bringing the story to life. Can't wait to read the next book.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Van Coop's Time-Travel Adventure is Fast and Fun

This time-travel adventure and sci-fi fantasy explodes from chapter one as a group of twenty-something adults accidentally and unknowingly time-travel back to the 80's.

There is enough scientific explanation for most readers to suspend belief without effort, but the technical writing is brief and not the focus of this novel. Instead, the author maintains forward momentum with quick-witted dialogue, engaging character development, and original writing. Throw a serial killer in the mix as the group goes on a quest to get back to present day, and you have one enjoyable read.

"In Times Like These" is the first in a series. Have fun.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Well, 3.5

Pretty good time travel story with a complicated set of rules but very little character development. Great for adolescent males, okay for the rest of us.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Wow!

I loved this book. There are a few points where I have to take a step back and say WTF? Then I get it and the story gets better and better.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful