Time Slice, Kerry Downing (5 stars)

Time Slice Book Summary

Ordinary People. Extraordinary Adventures. Science Fiction with Heart.

Newly retired workaholic Roy Washburn is not ready for a life of leisure. On a trip to the mall with his wife, he finds a small metal cylinder with odd markings. One nudge of the cylinder's triangle-shaped pointer and Roy finds himself embarking on an exciting new adventure in the Time Stream.

There he meets The Traveler, a tall, gangly being who shows Roy how to use the cylinder to visit other civilizations that co-exist on "his" Earth, each occupying a different, thin Time Slice. The Traveler solicits Roy's help in recovering an object invented by his murdered father and beyond his own reach. Roy is his last hope.

At first it seems that the Traveler's wish might be easily granted. But after Roy's wife Emily becomes ill and his daughter's long-held resentments rise to the surface, he can no longer "travel" at a moment's notice. He also discovers the very real physical and mental risks involved in roaming the Time Stream.

Despite the dangers, Roy is determined to help the Traveler. But he can't do it alone. Fortunately he has a loving wife and a core group of loyal friends. But first he must convince them, and his daughter, that he isn't crazy ...

Review

I love when a book gives me more than I expect. When I read the back cover of Time Slice, I was expecting an interesting and suspenseful time travel saga. What I was not expecting was a rich set of characters, humor, and a sweet story about relationships. Time Slice delivered all these elements.

Roy is deeply in love with his wife and smitten with his granddaughter, but struggling to mend his relationship with his daughter. When he finds a small metal cylinder, he has no clue how his life is about to change.

His journey begins with one click of the newfound device, but it's not just a journey through time... it's a journey through life's ups and downs. Traveling the time stream, Roy meets The Traveler, a creature who needs Roy's help to mend his own family issues.

But Roy has family issues of his own, his wife has cancer and his relationship with his daughter is under increasing pressure. Roy questions his reasons for living as those around him question his sanity.

I devoured this book in a day and a half. Although I read all genres, I don't typically gravitate toward science fiction. But this book was so much more than an interesting tale about time travel, it was a story about people's lives. I spent equal time feeling intrigued and emotional.

I highly recommend this book to readers who crave an imaginative and engaging story with characters who claim a piece of their heart. You'll feel like you had your own device to escape into another world, and you'll be glad you did.

Rating: 5 stars

About Kerry Downing

Kerry Downing set out to become a meteorologist, but was hooked by the world of computers instead, becoming a systems analyst and programmer. Astronomy and science fiction are his passions. He’s been gazing at the stars at all hours of the night since the age of 10, when he received his first telescope. As for science fiction, Arthur C. Clarke and his brand of “it really seems as if it could happen” has always been his favorite. In the 90s, Kerry found the third love of his life: his wife, Lucy. They live in St. Louis, Missouri, with their five children. Time Slice is Kerry’s second science-fiction novel. His self-published, debut work is The Collective.

For more information on the author, please visit his website, blog, or on Twitter.

Buy Time Slice: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Nook, Kindle, and Smashwords.

Note: I received a complimentary copy from Tribute Books for review purposes. No other compensation was received. A positive review was not guaranteed or asked for; the views expressed are my own.