Review: Great idea for a YA book
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 15, 2013
I was given the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a review.  That being said, I really enjoyed this book!  The concept for the book was amazing.  Time travel to the Civil War as operatives for a secret organization...what could be better?  I immediately  liked the main character, Jonathon, and got drawn in to his story from the first.  I especially loved reading about the gadgets the operatives were given for their trip back in time.  The author did great research in to what things would have blended in to the Civil War era and came up with creative ways to alter them with futuristic technology while addressing how they would be kept secret from the people in the past.  The battle the boys are caught up in is a bit intense, especially later in the book where they are describing the medical field tent where they are tending to the wounded in Civil War fashion.  This may be a bit much for young readers but I think mature tweens and older would love this book.  I was a bit disappointed with the author skipping over four years of the characters lives when he is training at the school.  I feel like the author could have really used this to further develop the story, especially considering how short the story is (Just over 200 pages).  If you like the idea of time travel, the Civil War, or just like stories of underdogs overcoming life then this is a story for you.  I can't wait for the next book so that I can find out what happens to Jonathon!