Time Nova by Derrick Bliss is a fast-paced science fiction story about a captivating father-son pair that go on time-travel adventures in order to save the country from being destroyed by a glitch in the universe. The book introduces us to Wellington Brackford, a wealthy technological genius who’s made his money and is now struggling with more mundane issues. Like raising his son, Kyle and dealing with his chronic back pain. Kyle and Welly find themselves in the middle of an intricate space time glitch that requires them to work together. The fate of a whole nation is at stake and they have to make sure everything goes right in every timeline in order to make sure that the world as they know it does not collapse.
Kyle and Welly are such vividly drawn characters that it’s hard not to root for them. They struggle with everyday problems, like becoming a better human being and making the right choices. However, they’re not perfect; the humanity in them shines through whenever a tough decision has to be made. Kyle struggles with his past and has some baggage that slows him down. Kyle can be snarky yet endearing. They’re often bantering and butting heads but are ultimately a charming pair that grow together. Their inner voices were portrayed with a lot of clarity and honesty.
The worlds of the past and the future were quite amusing. 2050 had technology that would allow your keys to zip through the air and into your hands using the power of magnetic currents.
Despite the time travel back and forth, it was not hard to follow at all. Mostly because Welly and Kyle were also experiencing it for the first time, so there was plenty of detail given to the transitions. A simple yet hilarious explanation is given about time travel: an analogy that involves linked Excel spreadsheets. Even present day topics were discussed, like gun laws and the foundations of the country. Some sensitive topics were discussed between father and son, but they were grappled in a cautious and interesting manner.
Time Nova is a funny and engaging science-fiction story that feels like a blockbuster movie. It’s a feel good story- about struggling against all odds in order to strive for better ideals. With authentic characters that change over time, and a story that left me with a smile on my face I would easily recommend this book to science fiction fans.
-Literary Titan
Link to Interview: https://literarytitan.com/2020/12/24/time-nova/
