Publishers Weekly
10/03/2022
A group of teens ricochet through time and space to rewrite the past in this labyrinthine time travel adventure by Clare, set in the same world as the Ink, Iron, and Glass duology. In 2034, white Riley, 17, and her Indian American–cued boyfriend Jaideep, both scientific prodigies living in an “artificial pocket universe” resembling Boston, have devised a method to travel back in time and prevent the mysterious cataclysm that rendered Earth uninhabitable. But instead of transporting the duo to the 19th century, their initial effort accidentally plucks white trans engineer Willa Marconi, 17 and the future inventor of wireless communication, out of her 1891 timeline, and drops them all into a strange, empty city in an unknown year. The teens’ appearance prompts suspicion within the Continuity Agency, omnipotent custodians of all time and space, and the trio must dodge a frightening android cop while attempting to return Willa to her proper era and complete the original mission. Riley and Willa’s distinct alternating perspectives and the group’s varied interpersonal challenges, such as Riley and Jaideep’s hesitation to reveal their polyamorous relationship to Willa, even as Riley’s attraction to her grows, provide a distinctly human aspect to this splashy futuristic volume. Ages 14–up. Agent: Jennifer Azantian, Azantian Literary. (Nov.)
From the Publisher
Praise for the Ink, Iron, and Glass Duology
“The novel samples historical figures the way a hip-hop album might sample a classic riff: it opens a window to European history, lets in fresh air, and sends facts flying... This novel is a source of serious fun.” —School Library Journal (starred review) on Ink, Iron, and Glass
“This debut novel is fully realized steampunk-fantasy, offering an alternate history that deftly and creatively adopts the politics of 19th-century Italy to create a compellingly unique world.... Exciting and original.” —Kirkus (starred review) on Ink, Iron, and Glass
“Clare's debut is built upon an intriguing premise... A solid series starter featuring a competent, flawed heroine that’s built for sf fans.” —Booklist on Ink, Iron, and Glass
“There’s much more to uncover in the political machinations of each world, and a gasp-worthy ending ensures a sequel.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (BCCB) on Ink, Iron, and Glass
“The alternate-history thrill ride continues ... The author is a master of character development ... Action and adventure with a fearless heroine at the helm.” —Kirkus Reviews on Mist, Metal, and Ash
“A satisfying sequel.” —Booklist on Mist, Metal, and Ash
School Library Journal
12/01/2022
Gr 9 Up—While on a test run of her radio equipment, Willa Marconi, from Italy in 1891, has just been plunged into a strange new world. In front of her stands a young woman, white and European like herself, and a young man, who appears Arab or Indian, who look at her in horror. From their perspective, Riley and Jaideep see a huge mistake. They've just thrust a local from her time period into the space they hoped would help them discover information they need to save their world from the disaster it is in 2033. Now that they're together, they must discover a way to stop the cataclysm that sparked the end of the known world. Their search for answers involves encounters with time loops, time-traveling androids, and others who will stop at nothing to keep things the way they are. This fast-action, complex story plunges readers into a world where Riley and Jaideep want nothing more than to stop the event that caused the disaster that led to the deaths of Jaideep's entire family, while Willa tries to make sense of it all using the science and logic she has always relied on. Give this book to mature science fiction readers, as lots of scientific jargon and principles are not explained. While science predominates, the young protagonists fall for each other in an arc that includes references to polyamory, sexuality, and gender exploration. VERDICT This book is a part of a larger set of works, dovetailing with Clare's "Ink, Iron, and Glass" duology. As such, it would be an optional purchase on its own, but a recommended purchase for where the author's previous works circulate well.—Connie Williams
