Usually I prefer to read nonfiction books - just look how many more reviews I have of nonfiction than any other category! Every once in a while, though, I love to read a good old save-the-world thriller novel. Even though I'm not learning anything, at least I'm enjoying reading the book. (There seems to be much fewer nonfiction books that won't let you put them down). Also, the feeling I get when I finish a book is unparalleled elsewhere in life, usually regardless of the content. So why not add a few more fiction novels to my list of reviews?

The Depths of Time (Book 1)

I bought this book at a book sale because the picture on the cover looked cool (and, of course, it was cheap). I had never read a science fiction book like this one, so I figured I'd give it a shot.

Before the book even started, the author explained his notion of interstellar travel. I was totally blown away - it is one of the most creative ideas I've ever seen! Imagine it takes eighty years to fly to such-and-such planet. Then you fly forty years while cryogenically frozen (so you don't age) to the midpoint of your destination. You then fly through a controlled wormhole that sends you back in time eighty years. Fly the other forty years of your journey, and you arrive at the destination planet only a week or two after you left! Your ship has aged eighty years - but your crew has not - and virtually no time has passed from departure to arrival. Isn't that the coolest space travel idea ever!?

There were a few small nuances in Allen's writing, but once the store grabbed me, they were easy enough to ignore. As I said, the book doesn't have to be a prize-winner. I was definitely annoyed by the ending. There was no indication (except for a tiny hint in the acknowledgments which I didn't see until after I finished the book) that the book was the first book of a trilogy. I expected the book to end, but of course it did not. And now, of course, I would have to get the other two books - I must see the ending! That's no big deal, though, because now I get to read more good sci-fi.

Despite the annoyances, this book was good. It drew me in and I always hated to put it down. In fact, it has drawn me into the world of science fiction. I intend to read more sci-fi books after this series - they're a lot of fun.

The Ocean of Years (Book 2)

Luckily, my wonderful mother bought me the other two books in this trilogy. There's absolutely nothing better than free books!

In The Ocean of Years, the suspense certainly heightened. The main characters take on new identities and rename their ship. They are trying to act without being noticed, as they are operating outside the law. Unfortunately the lawmen are beginning to catch on.

The unlucky heroes face so many obstacles, one after the other, that it's hard to put the book down. It's funny, though, how the heroes actually only seem to be unlucky. They turn out to be very lucky indeed - and make it through alive.

The climax of this book was amazing. I kinda saw it coming, but there was still a lot I didn't put together until the very end.

I definitely enjoyed reading this book - it was even harder to put down than the first one. I can't wait to start the third book and then see how the story ends.

The Shores of Tomorrow (Book 3)

In the final book of the series, time is running out for our heroes, and humanity. The human race, it seems, will soon be extinct. The only way to save it is to travel into the past, but the Chronologic Patrol (a policing agency) won't let that happen because it could upset causality. Our heroes must outrun and outsmart the CP to save the human race.

The beginning of this book seemed a bit slow, but it accelerated quickly. As I came to the end, the suspense built faster and faster, and I was baffled as to how the book would end. Just in time, though, our heroes find a solution and save the day.

The Shores of Tomorrow was a good ending to a good series. Every now and then it is good to read about how the courage, ingenuity, and selflessness of a few can save the many.