Review: An imaginative, inspired novella that takes you on a voyage of extraordinary discovery
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 12 31, 2013
This pocket-sized tempting titbit introduces you to an incredibly interesting story that's refreshingly imaginative and highly original. Filled with intriguing concepts and characters, I was magnetically drawn into a tale that had me sat in suspense throughout. Just as the author introduces you to the main characters, concepts and great `mission' of travelling through time, are you then swept away and left hanging on the edge of the page wondering what will transpire...Desperate to discover what unfolds and having already read so much, I am keen to continue the journey and read on with the next instalment. Peter is a fantastic protagonist whose story has only just begun, leaving me with a tiny glimpse into a world full of wonder."Once you change something in the past, the future might not be the same as you remember. Your memories will remain in place, as they will be linear to you and only you...our memories will shift".- Quote, p. 67Meddling with time has always been something enticing authors for centuries, with many varying representations standing out as some of the most iconic and recognized literary works of fiction of all time. For instance Doctor Who or the time machine and which works perfectly within this story.  `Linear Shift' is about Peter Cooper; a widowed father of two whose life is crumbling around him--until a bizarre encounter with a desperate Army general launches him on a risky mission: to go back to 1942 and change a moment in time. The repercussions will almost certainly alter the conclusion of World War II. But will the ripple effects stop there? And what kind of life will Peter return to? Unknown Consequences include: A successful mission may not have the success he had intended. {Linear Shift is a serialized novel, with four total parts planned. This is part one.}This quick, sci-fi adventure through time is an exciting read that kept me glued to the pages and is the perfect first part of a planned 4-part series. The time shift between past and present was cleverly interwoven so as to form clarity and uniformity between parallel sub-plots; hence I was able to read on without loosing my way or becoming confused. Deftly woven and exquisitely multi-layered, the author captures the danger of meddling with time jumping and also the dark appeal that it has. At only 13 thousand words this short story is a light read that took me hardly any time at all to read, and yet it is wonderfully compelling and an enthralling read. Entirely realistic and understated, I would recommend Linear Shift to science-fiction fans and those readers seeking an entertaining novella that's punchy and entertaining!"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo."So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring"They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself."- Andy Warhol"Mysterious thing, time. Powerful, and when meddled with, dangerous...." - Albus Dumbledore {Harry Potter & the prisoner of Azkaban}3.5 Stars!*I won a copy of Linear Shift, part 1 by Paul B. Kholher through a Goodreads, first-read book giveaway*