Review: Loop by Karen Akins

Loop by Karen Akins

At a school where Quantum Paradox 101 is a required course and history field trips are literal, sixteen year-old time traveler Bree Bennis excels... at screwing up.

After Bree botches a solo midterm to the 21st century by accidentally taking a boy hostage (a teensy snafu), she stands to lose her scholarship. But when Bree sneaks back to talk the kid into keeping his yap shut, she doesn't go back far enough. The boy, Finn, now three years older and hot as a solar flare, is convinced he’s in love with Bree, or rather, a future version of her that doesn't think he’s a complete pain in the arse. To make matters worse, she inadvertently transports him back to the 23rd century with her.

Once home, Bree discovers that a recent rash of accidents at her school are anything but accidental. Someone is attacking time travelers. As Bree and her temporal tag-along uncover seemingly unconnected clues—a broken bracelet, a missing data file, the art heist of the millennium—that lead to the person responsible, she alone has the knowledge to piece the puzzle together. Knowledge only one other person has. Her future self.

But when those closest to her become the next victims, Bree realizes the attacker is willing to do anything to stop her. In the past, present, or future. 

Thoughts
It feels foolish at this point to even point out how much I typically avoid science fiction, given that that is all I seem to want to read lately. Even more than a general distaste of sci-fi, I really, really don't like time travel. Still, Loop kept calling out to me, and I decided to give it a shot. Still not a fan of time travel, but I did like Bree and Finn enough to be glad that I gave this book a chance. 

The Good
Finn is one of those characters that I know all of the girls in my book club would go crazy for. He is sweet, and cute, and will do anything possible to protect Bree from the baddies that are out to get her. Bree is easy to like as well. She is sarcastic and mouthy, and more than a little stubborn. The story line was interesting at times and the mystery of who was out to get the shifters kept you guessing the whole way through. 

The Bad
I will admit, I lost interest in this book somewhere around Chapter 19. While overall the book was decent, I found my attention and desire to finish the book waning at an alarming rate. I think this might be a personal thing, because the more in depth the story got into the time travel aspects, the less I cared about any of it. I found myself skimming some scenes just to get the book over with already. 

Overall, this book wasn't bad! The ending was satisfying, and the characters were easy to connect with. I think if you are a fan of time travel, it could be really great for you! While I know Twist, the sequel, is out already, I don't think I will be reading it any time soon. That being said, I did enjoy her writing style and I am really curious about what Ms. Akins will do next, and will keep an eager eye out for her next work!