Author: John A. Heldt
Release Date: November 3, 2012
Series: Northwest Passage #2
Genre: Science-Fiction > Time-Travel | Family | Romance
Edition: mobi
Pages: 271
Publisher: Self-published
Interest: Requested by Author
Source: Author (Thanks a lot John!)
Buy it here: Amazon

Blurb

Seattle, 2010. When her entrepreneur husband dies in an accident, Michelle Preston Richardson, 48, finds herself childless and directionless. She yearns for the simpler days of her youth, before she followed her high school sweetheart down a road that led to limitless riches but little fulfillment, and jumps at a chance to reconnect with her past at a class reunion. But when Michelle returns to Unionville, Oregon, and joins three classmates on a spur-of-the-moment tour of an abandoned mansion, she gets more than she asked for. She enters a mysterious room and is thrown back to 1979.

Distraught and destitute, Michelle finds a job as a secretary at Unionville High, where she guides her spirited younger self, Shelly Preston, and childhood friends through their tumultuous senior year. Along the way, she meets widowed teacher Robert Land and finds the love and happiness she had always sought. But that happiness is threatened when history intervenes and Michelle must act quickly to save those she loves from deadly fates. Filled with humor and heartbreak, THE JOURNEY gives new meaning to friendship, courage, and commitment as it follows an unfulfilled soul through her second shot at life.

Rating

Review

Plot | Story

I loved the first book in this series, The Mine, and so obviously I was expecting a lot from this one. The Journey met all my expectations and even managed to make it’s place in my favourite books. Inspite of increased expectations somewhere I had a bit of a reservation, before starting the book,  thinking that how one time travel book can be different from the other one by the same author. And to my pleasant surprise, John Heldt exceeded all my reservations and this book made a remarkable read. It’s concept was totally different from the last one (which for me was totally awesome!) I love both the books so much that I can’t even pick my favourite one out of the two.

Coming back to the plot and story, The Journey started of on a great note and only after a very few pages the time-travel thing happens. The flow of the story was good and the pace was something that I call “no-nonsense pace”, where everything major happens without any unnecessary drama or twist.

I was completely absorbed in the story right from the first page till the very last one. I enjoyed this book thoroughly and I might just read it a second time soon.

Characters

I loved Michelle and Shelly Preston. They’ve easily become on of my favourite characters (like Joel from the previous one.) I even loved the other characters… actually, scratch that, I loved all the characters. John’s characterisation is so gripping that the reader can’t help but fall in love with all the characters, especially the main ones.

I loved the little meeting towards the end where Michelle meets Joel. That was a real treat.

Romance

There was romance in the book but the overall story was about something else. The little bit of romance between Michelle and Robert was refreshing and entertaining. It was the typical old school romance where there’s no sex before marriage and was the sweetest part. I hated it when in the end Robert suffers but well, it only shows that not all endings are happy.

Writing

Now that I’ve read two books by John Heldt, I can say without any hesitation that I’m already a fan of his writing. I can connect with his way of writing almost instantly. It’s very effective in a very simple way. He never over-exaggerates anything nor does he undermines the importance of either the plot or the characters. Also, his stories are always so much more than what the reader expects. They are very eventful and keeps the reader absorbed throughout the book. His writing is subtle and I really enjoy reading his books.

Beginning

I was absorbed in the book right from the start. I loved the beginning as it was quite eventful. I loved the time travelling thing and the way the story progressed. I even like the willingness and even the eagerness of Mitchell to start a new life for someone who time-travelled unknowingly, given her past.

Ending

Ending was a huge surprise. I had a lot of assumptions for the end but I never imagined it to be what the ending really is. I compliment John Heldt for pulling off such a drastic ending. It blew my mind and left me wondering if it really should have happened as I loved the lead a lot. But that’s the way a good ending is, so yea, I made my peace with it (not to forget Shelly was Mitchelle herself!)

Blurb

In one word, this blurb is precise! It tells the reader what there is to know. As this is not a mystery book, there’s nothing that can spoil this book except the end, so the blurb is perfect.

Cover Art

The cove art is very much in sync with that of The Mine and as a part of the same series, it’s a good thing. Keeping the theme of the book in mind, I think that the cover is good enough. It has a depth but still I feel that it could have been a teeny tiny bit better. Still I like it.

You can also read this review at Goodreads | Amazon.

Other Stuff

Opening line: Michelle started at the marble memorial and saw dead things.

Highlights: John Heldt’s supereb storytelling

Lowlights: None.

Final Thoughts: An amazing read.

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Books received from Authors & Publishers are designated as such. 
Receiving books from Authors/Publishers, in no way affects my review as it is my own opinion.