Skipshock
by Caroline O'Donoghue
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"Readers will burn through the pages as they traverse gorgeous, fully realized worlds replete with their own varied dramas. . . . Incredibly immersive and utterly unique." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Set in a universe where time is key to power and privilege, this dazzlingly inventive, genre-defying fantasy romance is the first in a duology by best-selling author Caroline O’Donoghue.
Margo is a troubled schoolgirl. After the death of her father, she’s on her way to a new boarding school in a new city.
Moon is a salesman. He makes his living traveling through a series of interconnected worlds on a network of barely used train lines.
They never should have met. But when Margo suddenly appears one day on Moon’s train, their fates become inextricably linked. If Margo wants to survive, she has to pass as a traveling salesman, too—except it’s not that easy.
Move north on the train line and time speeds up, a day passing in mere hours. Move south and time slows down—a day can last several weeks. Slow worlds are the richest ones: you live longer, your youth lasting decades. Fast worlds are sharp, cruel, and don’t have time for pleasantries. Death is frequent. Salesmen die young of skipshock. That is, if they’re not shot down by the Southern Guard first.
As Margo moves between worlds and her attachment to Moon intensifies, she feels her youth start to slip between her fingers. But is Moon everything he seems? Is Margo?
Told through the eyes of both naive Margo and desperate Moon, the unforgettable realm of Skipshock will shake the way you think about love, time, and the fabric of the universe. The first in a planned duology from the best-selling author of the Gifts series, this utterly original epic is a must-read.
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Book Details
ISBN:
9781536228816
EAN:
1536228818
Binding:
Hardcover
Pages:
400
Authors:
Caroline O'Donoghue
Publisher:
Walker Books Us
I enjoyed this one a lot, but I’ve struggled to figure out how to describe it. It’s a slow burn romance with high stakes, irresistible characters, and time variations that fascinated me. Plus, it has trains!This was fun and different in ways that delighted me, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of reading it. There were a few times where things were hard to follow, but it was worth pushing through those few more difficult times for the payoff.I was a little put off by the comparative ages of the main characters, but they’re a great duo overall. I loved the world building and the way the world has real feeling of tension. I hope to read more from this world.
Adored this. My first fantasy book since I was a teenager and I was enthralled. I read this because I’m a Caroline O’Donoghue stan and am so glad I did. The world building is so vivid, the characters so likeable. Can’t wait for part 2!
Margo's life is not what she was hoping and at 17 she on her way to a boarding school. Two years after her father has died her mother is sending her off to a new city however, while on the train something strange happens. The train car changes and now sitting across from her is a boy with a very large moon shaped scare on his face and he has a briefcase. Moon is a salesman who travels the train between worlds, travel north and the a day can pass in two hours where life is harsh, travel south and the day passes much longer where the privileged live longer and amass wealth. Chaos follows There's a resistance, growing feeling between Moon and Margo and can they save the poor souls in the north from the south? Book one in the duology is new and interesting, I felt like there were a few plot holes but nothing too crazy to stop me from enjoying the story and I will be looking for the second book and see how O'Donoghue finishes this adventure.
This is going to win prizes. I forgot about time and and I forgot to eat for 5 hours straight. This book ruined me in the best possible way and I am so glad I got the chance to read it. These characters became real to me, and I had so many moments where I either laughed out loud or tried to talk to the book. I love it when I can feel the joy the author has writing it, and this was no exception. Wonderful read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc.
As we start this genre-defying book we meet Margo, a troubled young lady, who steps onto a train bound for a boarding school in Dublin. Wearing a silver watch inherited from her deceased father she contemplates her life and where she’s headed.Hoping to leave her troubles behind the train speeds along carrying her to a different destination. Soon she meets a strange young man on the train who realizes that she is different and befriends her. As she steps off the train it becomes apparent that she is not in Ireland anymore but a confusing new reality. The young man, Moon, offers to help her navigate this strange world and find her way home. So begins the story of Mars and Moon. And we are along for their ride through different worlds.I enjoyed this book and the main characters were so interesting. Appropriately named Mars and Moon they come to know each other’s troubled past and fall in love. This is not your typical romantasy though. It’s different and refreshing that it does not follow the usual patterns in most fantasy romance stories today. I recommend this book for readers who are looking for a different kind of fantasy that explores new worlds while also exploring how love evolves between these main characters. A twist at the end leaves me hoping for a second book and a continuation of this love story set in a magical world where anything can happen.
