E-ARC Review: All Our Yesterdays

Posted by Nina L. on 12:00 PM in 4-star, Cristin Terrill, E-ARC, fantasy, review, sci-fi, YA,

Author: Cristin Terrill

Release date: August 1st 2013

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ)

Series:N/A

Age Group: Young Adult

Genre: Sci-fi /Fantasy

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository 

Add to your library: Goodreads

"You have to kill him." Imprisoned in the heart of a secret military base, Em has nothing except the voice of the boy in the cell next door and the list of instructions she finds taped inside the drain.

Only Em can complete the final instruction. She’s tried everything to prevent the creation of a time machine that will tear the world apart. She holds the proof: a list she has never seen before, written in her own hand. Each failed attempt in the past has led her to the same terrible present—imprisoned and tortured by a sadistic man called the doctor while war rages outside. 

Marina has loved her best friend James since the day he moved next door when they were children. A gorgeous, introverted science prodigy from one of America’s most famous families, James finally seems to be seeing Marina in a new way, too. But on one disastrous night, James’s life crumbles apart, and with it, Marina’s hopes for their future. Now someone is trying to kill him. Marina will protect James, no matter what. Even if it means opening her eyes to a truth so terrible that she may not survive it. At least not as the girl she once was. All Our Yesterdays is a wrenching, brilliantly plotted story of fierce love, unthinkable sacrifice, and the infinite implications of our every choice. (via Goodreads)

I received an e-copy of this from Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I can't think of reading a time travel related novel before. So I'm pretty sure this is the first. And for a first timer, this wasn't bad. It gave me chills from the very first page till the last. 

It was mysterious from the beginning. The reason why Em and Finn were in the cells was pretty disturbing, at least, for me. I can't even imagine how some people can do that. But then, we'll never know what someone can do, right? Even if that someone is close to us. The mystery was unveiled in such a way that it wasn't too giving. It made me connect all the pieces together until I was actually reading it already. It was such a nice way to discover the mystery. 

The time-travel journey though was actually the best part. Sure, Em and Finn just went back to the past to change some things. But that's not all. There were a lot of twists along the way. Some I have guessed alright and one which I didn't see coming. That one I didn't see coming was uncovered in the latter part of the novel. That was literally the most heartbreaking secret because it was!

The character development was actually smooth. I was able to see how the characters have changed through time. And how, just one moment, everything can change depending on your choice. It's really amazing how one's action can actually affect everything like a domino.

I'm in awe as to the writing of Cristin. It really was time-traveling back to the past. It was like I was there with Em and Finn when they went back through time. Yes, that great! The only thing I felt weird about was the wars going on between their country and the other countries. I don't know. But I didn't feel that it was really the time machine's fault at hand. Or maybe I just didn't really feel the weight of the time machine's disadvantages. I mean, sure, there are benefits but there are also the downside of that machine. But that's what I didn't really get especially the wars. I wish it was elaborated more. 

All Our Yesterdays is a great time-travel novel. The mystery, adventure and realizations will leave you in a spellbinding thinking. There's also a touch of romance so you'll enjoy it more! I just can't believe that this has a sequel! The ending seemed like an ending to me.

  About the Author

Cristin Terrill has a bachelor of the arts degree from Vassar College and a master of the arts degree in Shakespeare Studies from the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon, UK. She currently lives outside Washington, D.C., where she teaches creative writing workshop for kids and teens. ALL OUR YESTERDAYS is her first novel.

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