The Warp Clock (In Times Like These, #4) by Nathan Van Coops

The Warp Clock (In Times Like These, #4) Reviews

• 
  Mark Hale

  Nathan has done it again, if you thought he'd exhausted further adventures of Ben Travers how wrong you are. Not only has he come up with a really good story yet again, like in his previous time travel books, its a non stop roller coaster ride from start to finish. Its always great to find a book that you struggle to put down between chapters but time and time again Nathan has managed to do this on all previous books and this one is no exception. From the first page the reader is taken on a non stop, highly charged race around time with a great mix of characters, plots and events, leaving you wondering where its going to end up. The attention to detail, not only in the various places and people encountered along the way but also in the whole time travel process which is usually where, in my experience, other authors slip up is awesome. The end result is that you get to experience an incredibly believable world and are quite literally transported in time. I really hope that one day this series ends up as a movie. Looking forward to more time travel adventures.
• 
  Bethany Cousins

  The Warp Clock is an absolutely riveting addition to the In Times Like These series, and I found it incredibly difficult to put this book down. The writing is brilliant; showcasing Nathan Van Coops' talent for creating remarkable worlds and filling them with fascinating characters. Each page is loaded with action, humour and mind-bending suspense. I sincerely hope that this will not be the last story to come out of this universe.
• 
  Larry Dietz ii

  I never thought it was possible, but I believe Nathan has outdone himself again. This book is an amazing read. Full of excitement, that never slows down.
  
  Each of these books is better than the one before, and this one is no exception.
  
  I can't recommend this book, and this series enough! You have to read it to believe it!
  
• 
  Jess the Audiobookworm

  4.5★ Audiobook⎮ I literally gasped with excitement when Narrator Neil Hellegers emailed me about reviewing The Warp Clock. That wouldn’t have been a big deal, except for the fact that I was sitting in the middle of a movie theater when I received the email!
  
  I have reviewed all three previous installments of this time travel series, so I was eager to hear that there would be a fourth. I heard the third installment under the impression that it would be the finale to a trilogy, so there were multiple levels to my excitement. That excitement then doubled upon reading the synopsis for The Warp Clock. I mean, who doesn’t jump for joy at the prospect of their OTP having offspring?! Throw in time travel and this was bound to be fun.
  
  As I’ve said before, “fun” is the perfect word for this series. It’s brimming with Van Coops’ trademark wit and humor. His is one of the most unique takes on time travel theory that I’ve heard, yet it still manages to not take itself too seriously. I’ll admit, the science sometimes makes my head spin with all the multiple times streams and whatnot, but Nathan Van Coops writes with such an ease of manner that the narrative itself is easy to follow. That’s what counts here.
  
  The Warp Clock definitely isn’t hard science fiction, so no PhD’s are necessary to listen. The book does it take itself too seriously, so the listener shouldn’t either. It’s a hoot, so just enjoy the ride. With that said, I strongly recommend hearing the first three installments in order before this one in order to fully appreciate the set up. Hearing the first three allowed me to become invested in the characters. The Warp Clock played into my fantasies for these characters so much that it almost seemed like fan service, not that there’s anything wrong with that, mind you.
  
  The plot seemed a little less structured than what I’m used to hearing from Van Coops. There was a lot of jumping around, reminiscent of The Chronathon. This wasn’t my favorite installment in this series, but perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if I had heard it immediately after the previous installment. If you have the chance to hear all four volumes in succession, I recommend binging them. Honestly, I’m tempted to go back to the beginning and re-listen to the entire series just for kicks.
  
  Narration review: These are the only audiobooks I’ve heard from Neil Hellegers, so he’s pretty much synonymous with Ben Travers to me. If we spoke on the phone, I’m pretty sure it would throw me for a loop, subconsciously trying to separate him from the character.
  
  Returning to this series and hearing Hellegers’ voice again was incredibly comforting. I was instantly flooded with all of the warm, fuzzy feelings I accumulated while hearing the past three installments. It was sort of like flipping through an audio photo album full of cozy feelings. I’m glad he’s still around narrating the series. If another narrator had taken over, I would have been devastated. ♣︎
  
  ➜ This audiobook was graciously gifted to me by its narrator, Neil Hellegers, in exchange for a review containing my honest thoughts and opinions. Thanks, Neil!
• 
  Ginelle Blanch

  This book starts fast out of the gate and never slows till it crosses the finish line!
  Adventurous.
  Dangerous.
  Surprising.
  Fun.
  At times, downright creepy!
  Characters that you will cheer for. Tons of hold your breath moments. I really don't think my eyebrows left my hairline while reading it, lol!
  It's crazy to see just how much these characters have grown since the first book. I like that the moral decisions of the characters are sound. They are pretty selfless. I love the friendships, family, and overall camaraderie that is written into the story.
  Very visual and colorful, never a dull moment. I think readers will be pleased with how it all ties up by the end.
  Really fun and imaginative read.
• 
  Karen

  I was fortunate to have access to an ARC and all I can say is WOW. The ITLT series continues at full tilt in this fast paced, time travel adventure. I don’t want to add any spoilers so I won’t go into storyline detail but will say it is a must read for those who have read the other books in the series. For those who are time travel fans but haven’t read the others, it is well worth starting at the beginning with In Times Like These. The thing I like most about these books is that I’m never able to guess the twist at the end. I’m an avid reader and figure out way too many stories way too early in the book. Kudos to Nathan Van Coops for keeping me surprised.
• 
  D.S. Mac

  What an end!
  
  “We’re from the Department of Time Management,” I reply. “Seeing who’s wasting ours.”
  
  Fantastic end to the series! Real shame I won't get to read any more of Ben and his adventures through time.
  But it was all rounded up nicely.
  
  Full of action, intrigue, time travel and timestreams that take a minute to get your head around.
  
  5*
  
  “Throughout life there are two kinds of people: Those who tempt you to become a lesser version of yourself, and those who will inspire you to greatness. Choose carefully to whom you will give your time.”
• 
  Daniel Lewis

  This is one of my all time favorite time travel books. Every book in this series is great. If you like time travel and have not read the In Times Like These series put whatever you are reading down and go get book 1.
  
  How do I know you have not read book 1? If you had read book one you would have already bought book two inhaled it, then book three and then went out and bought this book and started reading it because the others are so awesome. This one is too so stop messing around with my review go get it! Why are you still here?
• 
  Shawn Deal

  This was a good book with a very strong ending. The ending makes the book it had a great time travel resolution I didn’t see coming. Loved the ending of a good book and a very good series.
• 
  Ian M. Walker

  I can't believe it is over.
  
  I've thoroughly enjoyed this fascinating series. It was very well crafted with interesting characters, very intelligent science and thrilling scenarios. I'm sad that it is now over.
  
  Highly recommended.
• 
  Marilyn

  This is an action packed time travel adventure like no other. Talk about fast paced. Holy time gate!
  You also better put on your thinking cap to help figure out who is where!
  Nathan Van Coops’ imagination is in full force with this story.
  Each chapter leaves you at a fantastic moment where you definitely want to keep reading.
  The writing is excellent and the plot riveting. There are emotional scenes that tug on the heart.
  So get your copy when this hits the shelf.
  
  I was fortunate to get an advanced reader’s copy.
• 
  Dean Thibault

  Another great entry in the series. Lots of action, suspense and twists (especially the time travel kind) Loved it! Kept my interest all the way to the end.
• 
  E. Sabin

  In this fourth volume of Nathan Van Coops’ time travel series, a journey to the past is not just a matter of traveling back through linear time. It is navigating among many timestreams, in which process the characters encounter other versions of themselves, their friends and family members, and historical figures in roles that differ from the ones familiar to us. In a less-skilled author this multiplication of characters and divisions of times could create mass confusion, but Van Coops brings it off smoothly and believably. The novel presents us with deliciously nasty villains who are trying to get their hands on the warp clock, a device which controls and regulates all chronometers, the wristwatch-like device that permits its user to travel through time. Ben and Mym, now his wife, have to keep them from getting the warp clock, knowing that its misuse would result in creating innumerable timestreams spawning all sorts of paradoxes, allowing criminals to commit all manner of atrocities and then escape by switching from timestream to timestream in ways that would prevent them from ever being found. So we readers go on a glorious romp through history and alternate histories with Ben and Mym, as they not only seek to protect the warp clock but also to keep safe a very clever and time-travel savvy little girl who turns out to be their daughter from another timestream, yet to be born in their native timestream. Their adventures will keep readers glued to their seats, turning pages, unable to tear themselves away from the startling turns and twists through unexpected places and perilous times to a resolution that will leave them breathless.
• 
  Addie

  Nathan Van Coops is officially one of my favorite time travel authors. I just loved the world he built with believable characters and time travel mechanism that's not too complicated but rich enough to explore the consequences and possibilities of it. The addition of Piper adds a new layer for the Traver's family that just warms my heart. Love this book so much and highly recommend it!
• 
  Quartknee

  What a great read. I can’t wait for the next one!
• 
  Bradley Valentine

  I'm not sure how a fan of either Nathan Van Coop's writing or of this series can honestly like the Warp Clock. So the reader knows where I'm coming from, I should say that while I am a fan of Van Coop's work that I often struggle with his storytelling choices. I love the Ben Travers books even while I reserve the right to skip ahead when things are getting repetitive, predictable or needlessly maudlin. All of things happen kind of a lot, sadly. Some how it doesn't put me off from eventually letting my mind go back to wondering what Van Coop has in store for the next book. I am a Tampa Bay native, I'm very familiar with St. Pete, where the Ben Travers band of travelers are from, so take note there might be a bit of state pride in my fandom, as silly as that might sound. Tampa Bay doesn't often get portrayed in the best light and I savor the taste whenever something doesn't dismiss us all as a bunch of glitter stained burn outs doomed to be forever small time.
  
  I listen to the audio version of the novels, and part of the appeal is the guy who narrates the books, Neil Helligers, I think is his name. The guy brings a certain unhinged lovability and sincerity that always makes me smile (Hellingers reminds me of Huck, ex-mercenary and current security and muscle for Olivia Pope on Scandal whenever Huck would have one of his bloodthirsty episodes).
  
  With all that in mind, understand that I come to these books with not the highest of standards or expectations. I hope to have a little fun and maybe imagine how if I were a filmmaker I might adapt the story in a mid 1980s Amblin way. Or this time it's more like Ambien. (gah - cheap, I know.).
  
  Look, I just don't get what Van Coop was thinking this time out. I'm in NO WAY one of those people who want the same story from an author over and over again. I welcome authors to mix it up. It's just that this installment feels more like a first draft being worked out with other elements intended to be added later. For example, where the hell are Ben's buddies from the other novels? Why is this story so focused in on such a limited scope. I might have liked that for a chance, but there just wasn't much done.
  
  I don't want to spoil details for readers behind on their reading. there is a new element to Ben Travers' life revealed here that drives the new structure and feels like Van Coop hopes to retro fit the proceeding to something more directly to the Young Adult market. I can't say and I'm not here to point fingers. This outing acts as a greatest hits for all Van Coop's short comings from other projects.
  
  This is probably where I bid adieu to the Ben Travers saga. I felt like the third book was a better place to leave things that what was created here. Like the Jumper books, it feels like the author wanted to enter a new genre by retrofitting a bit of new things to the old and hoping the core audience would help attract the new. That's not a bad idea from a business perspective and I wish an writer the best.
• 
  Ryan

  Spoilers to follow.
  
  So keeping with past Nathan Van Coops stories, the Chronothon series, if we’re calling it that, is light on characterization and very heavy on plot. I once remarked that I spent 80% of a previous book in Ben Travers head and still didn’t feel I knew much about him. The first in the series introduced a lot of characters who had similar traits and it took a while to get them all down.
  
  Each book is very different, and I remarked that the last so impressed me I gave it 5 stars and added it to my all-time favorites list.
  
  This adventure was about half the size and stripped us down overwhelming to one major existing character that we’ve spent 1,500 pages with. The angle was fresh. I will admit it the low-priority characterization didn’t keep me glued to the page, although where the author excels is mastering time travel. There’s one time travel loop so complicated that for the first time in forever there was literally an author’s note directing you to a postscript where the author took three pages explaining the resolution to the plot because if you don’t really focus and down some Tylenol, you will miss it.
  
  It’s probably not a plus that you can’t understand the book from just reading the book, but I have to give credit for taking that much care getting your plot right. That probably actually added the fourth star.
  
  Where I did struggle with the plot was the warp clock itself. So handing over the warp clock shuts down chronometers. It effectively neuters ASCOT (I think I got that right) and lets the criminals have full control over the timelines. But we’re dealing with characters who are literally time travelers. Ben went from 2009 to 2016 to the 2200s and to outer space. He’s all over the map. If the warp clock shut down the chronometers, it wouldn’t shut them down from just this book on? Why were they working in the first three books? Doesn’t the concept of the warp clock create a paradox where it can’t allow the time travel that’s already happened?
  
  The author seems to comment on this by stating that there are other warp clocks in other universes that would still be working. If so, that seems to negate a lot of the impact of stealing this warp clock. Couldn’t another Ben Travers who hopes into this time stream continue to function throughout time and bypass the time gates? I don’t know if this all happened in our time stream, although the guys messing with the Revolution seemed to be the ones with knowledge of the warp clock being handed over so I’m just not clear how all that was supposed to impact Ben in the November stream. I think I’m tying myself in knots.
• 
  Lori Peterson

  Buy if you love time travel not dumbed down.
  
  I LOVE time travel books. This Series has been one of my favorites. The author has really done his research, which always makes a series like this even better. This book truly shows off his skills as he has the reader totally engrossed in the characters and the travel involved, while twisting the story in and out of each scenario, but being careful to avoid a paradox. It actually hurt my brain, but in a good way,! For those concerned about getting too confused, don't worry - he includes a very detailed explanation in the author's notes at the end. Make time for this one. I read it start to finish last night because there was no way that I could put it down!! I'm so excited for those of you who have been waiting for another book from this author! I thought it was going to be just a trilogy. I'm glad that he squeezed one more story into such a fantastically awesome series. He has raised the bar for time travel books. I am not sure that I will ever find another book in this genre that is so original, engrossing, and well thought out. Kudos, Mr. Van Coops.
• 
  Caroline

  Overall this was a pretty enjoyable story. In the past I thought at times they got a bit too bogged down in the will they/won't they of Ben & Mym and clearly there was none of that here, but it was too much of the other direction with almost completely excluding Mym from the story. They also didn't include any of Ben's original crew in all the time travel hijinks. I liked Piper a lot, she was a great addition but all the rest of the characters were these almost one-off baddies that were very boring. I liked the time jumping that touched on the portions of history and wish there had been more development of that. It got a little repetitive to constantly be back in the run down theme park. The task force discussed at the end sounded kind of interesting and I'd read another book if it focused on that. But the next time needs to be more action driven time travel hijinks. I still loved the Chronothon the best.
• 
  Brad

  This may be the best book yet in this series. I was reading this with an eye to help find problems in a pre-release version. The story was so engrossing and the flaws (if any) so minor that I didn't find any. It was difficult to put the book down (even to get some sleep).
  
  The story continues sometime after the previous book in the series. It begins with Dr. Quigley's funeral and Ben and Mim meet their future daughter Piper. There is a group who are rewriting history which is wreaking havoc on the timelines and causing many new timelines to be created. Many of our friends from previous books are back. The challenge is difficult and Ben has to work even harder than before to figure out the way to hopefully end with the timelines back to "normal".
  
  This is a combination of a mystery and a thriller. It is fast-paced and fun to read.
• 
  Lynda Engler

  4.5 Stars. Nathan Van Coops is an underrecognized and underappreciated sci-fi author. I have enjoyed every one of his time travel series, In Times Like These.
  Ben Travers is an accidental time traveler in a big multiverse with multiple time streams, some very divergent from our own. In this 4th novel, Ben is married to Mym, the daughter of the father of time travel. Ben faces an impossible choice. When a 10-year-old girl arrives from his future claiming to be his daughter, she brings nothing but bad news. Ben has two possible fates, and no matter which he chooses, he has to die. In a desperate bid to alter his future, Ben will confront a rogue faction of temporal fugitives—his only ally a girl he never knew existed.
  I think this wrapped up the series well, considering that I think it was meant to be a trilogy, and the 3rd novel already had a satisfying ending. Nice bonus book.
• 
  Brandon

  OK, at least we wrapped the series up on a better note. Never really did get that intelligence progression in Benjamin I was so very hoping for. On a positive note, one of his other selves seemed to be a little more on top of things... for a short time. Still, the creative use of multiple versions of characters from different timestreams was very well played. The progression of the character arcs through the story ended in a well-crafted conclusion. The author is certainly a good writer, just needs to not beat a dead horse on the whole, "main character has shortcomings and is a average Joe" trope. Also, the whole amusement park of history idea was an interesting bit. As well as the twists revolving around the events in the 1700s (I won't spoil it).
• 
  Dr Maggie Parker

  Twisting time
  
  Wow I read a part of this as a beta reader but buying the finished book I realised how the story had evolved. It’s a time twisting tale in which a strange adversary is revealed at the end. Ben makes a connection with a daughter he never knew he would have had and tries to rescue both her and her dad, another Ben after notorious villains from the past are abducted. You really need to read this twisting time travelling tale to see how it all occurs and the author has put a helpful timeline at the end to explain a few things. A joyous read.