taylorreadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Things going through my mind upon finishing Invictus
Why is this a stand alone?
What happened to Saffron?
What did Gaius do with his freedom?
How did it work with the doubles?
Can we get a novella of Saffron's POV?
How did Eliot keep her memories?
Why can't the fade come swallow up my office so I can just stay home and read all day?
What about SAFFRON!?
Why is this a stand alone?
What happened to Saffron?
What did Gaius do with his freedom?
How did it work with the doubles?
Can we get a novella of Saffron's POV?
How did Eliot keep her memories?
Why can't the fade come swallow up my office so I can just stay home and read all day?
What about SAFFRON!?
junghoseok's review
5.0
Ryan Graudin is well on her way to becoming one of my favorite authors. I adored her Wolf by Wolf duology (and wrote a rant about it), so when I heard she was releasing a standalone science fiction book pitched as a cross between Firefly and Doctor Who, I couldn’t hit the “want to read” button on Goodreads fast enough. Then my library bought it and at long last I got to read it.
First of all, the title comes from a poem by William Ernest Henley with lines like “unconquerable soul” and “I am the master of my fate/I am the captain of my soul,” which is super cool. Secondly, the book follows Our Hero, a boy who was born out of time (in the “Grid” between time periods when their ship jumped back to the future from A.D. 95) and now wants to be a certified time traveler. Unfortunately, his final test is sabotaged by a winking Marie Antoinette and he flunks out of the academy. A smuggler recruits him to steal rare and precious lost artifacts from the past, but our story doesn’t really get going until Our Hero runs into a mysterious time traveler named Eliot who carries secrets and an agenda dark enough to match her drawn-on eyebrows (Read the book and it will make sense).
I really can’t go into more depth (though I would love to) without spoiling the book, and this is one of those books where you really want the secrets to be revealed naturally. Suffice it to say that the plot took some twists and turns even I didn’t see coming and I’ve been around the block a few times and am an avid time travel fan. It’s extremely difficult to write time travel (trust me, I tried, and I had to scrap the book because it was so terrible my own mother said it was awful and confusing), but Graudin pulls it off well. The plot does drag a bit in the first third of the book or so, but once crap starts going down and secrets start being revealed, you’ll want to plunge full speed ahead. There’s some sensuality (not a lot) and weird not-curse-words, making Invictus one of the cleanest YA books I’ve read in a while.
I do want to mention that Ryan Graudin has a beautiful way of writing. The words just come together in a musical way that can hit you in the gut at the same time. Also, due to the nature of its subject matter the book has some great quotes and brings up good questions about life, love, memory, nature, time, death—tons of good stuff. Here’s a quote: “When you witness the breadth of history, you understand how small you are. And yet at the same time you realize how much your life matters…how much you shape the people around you. And vice versa.” Couldn’t have put it better myself.
I highly recommend this book if you’re a time travel Doctor Who fan, or if you just want a good, clean story.
Review can also be found on my blog: https://elawrencewriter.weebly.com/book-rants/invictus
First of all, the title comes from a poem by William Ernest Henley with lines like “unconquerable soul” and “I am the master of my fate/I am the captain of my soul,” which is super cool. Secondly, the book follows Our Hero, a boy who was born out of time (in the “Grid” between time periods when their ship jumped back to the future from A.D. 95) and now wants to be a certified time traveler. Unfortunately, his final test is sabotaged by a winking Marie Antoinette and he flunks out of the academy. A smuggler recruits him to steal rare and precious lost artifacts from the past, but our story doesn’t really get going until Our Hero runs into a mysterious time traveler named Eliot who carries secrets and an agenda dark enough to match her drawn-on eyebrows (Read the book and it will make sense).
I really can’t go into more depth (though I would love to) without spoiling the book, and this is one of those books where you really want the secrets to be revealed naturally. Suffice it to say that the plot took some twists and turns even I didn’t see coming and I’ve been around the block a few times and am an avid time travel fan. It’s extremely difficult to write time travel (trust me, I tried, and I had to scrap the book because it was so terrible my own mother said it was awful and confusing), but Graudin pulls it off well. The plot does drag a bit in the first third of the book or so, but once crap starts going down and secrets start being revealed, you’ll want to plunge full speed ahead. There’s some sensuality (not a lot) and weird not-curse-words, making Invictus one of the cleanest YA books I’ve read in a while.
I do want to mention that Ryan Graudin has a beautiful way of writing. The words just come together in a musical way that can hit you in the gut at the same time. Also, due to the nature of its subject matter the book has some great quotes and brings up good questions about life, love, memory, nature, time, death—tons of good stuff. Here’s a quote: “When you witness the breadth of history, you understand how small you are. And yet at the same time you realize how much your life matters…how much you shape the people around you. And vice versa.” Couldn’t have put it better myself.
I highly recommend this book if you’re a time travel Doctor Who fan, or if you just want a good, clean story.
Review can also be found on my blog: https://elawrencewriter.weebly.com/book-rants/invictus
lispylibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
For fans of Dr. Who and Guardians of the Galaxy, Invictus is an invigorating and exciting book. It is a sci-fi/time travel story designed for people who don’t like sci-fi. I was incredibly lucky to sit next to Ryan Graudin at the 2017 Texas Library Conference Texas Tea, where she booktalked it as her upcoming book. I immediately ran to Little Brown and begged them for an ARC. (My apologies to the rep who probably thought I was crazy.)
Invictus is the name of a time travel ship captained by Farway Gaius McCarthy. Farway was born outside of time, meaning he was born while his mother’s time travel ship was headed back from the past to its present. (Crazy, right?!) Far was on track to be a time traveler from the academy when his final was sabotaged by another time traveler impersonating Marie Antoinette. Just when Far thinks that his dreams are dashed forever, he receives as offer to be a time traveler for a black-market ship where he and his crew travel back in time to steal artifacts from important events in history to be sold. The Invictus crew is made up of Far’s cousin, Imogen, who’s hair colors know no bounds; his girlfriend, Priya, who is also the ship’s medical staff; his friend, Gram, who is obsessed with Tetris and “vintage” games; and Imogen’s pet red panda, Saffron. Each crew member brings a fun personality that readers will connect with and cheer for as the book goes on. Their dynamics reminded me of the quote “Friends are the family that you choose.”
During a heist on the Titanic, Far meets Marie Antoinette again! Readers learn more about her and why she is inherently obsessed with ruining Far’s missions while following the Invictus crew on a whirlwind adventure to save time.
Ryan Graudin builds the most simply intricate world I’ve ever read and made time travel easy to understand, especially why time travel should be only used to observe and record and never tamper with the past. I guarantee that Invictus will grab you by the bootstraps and not let go! (If you are a Rick and Morty fan, you will appreciate the multi-verse theory in play in the book as well.)
Invictus is the name of a time travel ship captained by Farway Gaius McCarthy. Farway was born outside of time, meaning he was born while his mother’s time travel ship was headed back from the past to its present. (Crazy, right?!) Far was on track to be a time traveler from the academy when his final was sabotaged by another time traveler impersonating Marie Antoinette. Just when Far thinks that his dreams are dashed forever, he receives as offer to be a time traveler for a black-market ship where he and his crew travel back in time to steal artifacts from important events in history to be sold. The Invictus crew is made up of Far’s cousin, Imogen, who’s hair colors know no bounds; his girlfriend, Priya, who is also the ship’s medical staff; his friend, Gram, who is obsessed with Tetris and “vintage” games; and Imogen’s pet red panda, Saffron. Each crew member brings a fun personality that readers will connect with and cheer for as the book goes on. Their dynamics reminded me of the quote “Friends are the family that you choose.”
During a heist on the Titanic, Far meets Marie Antoinette again! Readers learn more about her and why she is inherently obsessed with ruining Far’s missions while following the Invictus crew on a whirlwind adventure to save time.
Ryan Graudin builds the most simply intricate world I’ve ever read and made time travel easy to understand, especially why time travel should be only used to observe and record and never tamper with the past. I guarantee that Invictus will grab you by the bootstraps and not let go! (If you are a Rick and Morty fan, you will appreciate the multi-verse theory in play in the book as well.)
vesryn's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this! I ran through this in less than two weeks, which is fast for me since I barely have time to read anymore - and that's a compliment to the author's writing style.
I love a good time-travel novel. I wouldn't say that this is breaks new ground, but I WOULD say that it still felt refreshing to read. Graudin's writing style carried me through the novel quickly - I noticed she likes to describe things, but not overly so, and she's good at it. You have to have some suspension of disbelief going on but, come on - with anything involving time-travel, when do you not? I didn't find that it was too much of a stretch even when things got really hairy towards the end. It wasn't too teenagey either: the romances involved were just done enough, they were realistic, and didn't subtract from the plot.
Read this book if you want a fun, but still serious (and kinda sad at some parts) romp through history via a time-traveling group of plucky teen thieves!!
I love a good time-travel novel. I wouldn't say that this is breaks new ground, but I WOULD say that it still felt refreshing to read. Graudin's writing style carried me through the novel quickly - I noticed she likes to describe things, but not overly so, and she's good at it. You have to have some suspension of disbelief going on but, come on - with anything involving time-travel, when do you not? I didn't find that it was too much of a stretch even when things got really hairy towards the end. It wasn't too teenagey either: the romances involved were just done enough, they were realistic, and didn't subtract from the plot.
Read this book if you want a fun, but still serious (and kinda sad at some parts) romp through history via a time-traveling group of plucky teen thieves!!
acaciathorn's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly, I just love the name Empra. Definitely stealing it.
forsakenfates's review
4.0
Ryan Graudin is one of those authors that has decent ideas but her execution of those stories is so flawless. She is able to pull you into the story and the characters' lives. I went into Invictus expecting just another science fiction novel with time travel and characters learning about the consequences of changing time. However, Invictus is so much more than that. I do not want to go into specifics for fear of spoiling anyone. But keep in mind this book is so much more than a time travel book.
The characters in this book are completely flushed out and I loved learning about each one and seeing them work together on the Invictus crew with Far. These characters already had relationships with each other so this book was focused solely on the adventure which I really enjoyed (Think Six of Crows when it comes to great group dynamics). It was refreshing to see both friendships and romances already in place rather than forming during the book. I liked watching the relationship evolve and strengthen between the characters.
This book definitely focuses on the story and the adventure. Since we are following a group of time-traveling thieves, there is a heavy focus on their daring adventures and how they accomplish their missions without also corrupting time. This is an action-packed adventure that kept me guessing until the end when everything wraps up. That is another unique aspect of this book, we get a standalone science fiction book. I did not feel at all like this book dragged or was rushed to get everything tied up. Graudin did an excellent job finishing the story arc in a single book.
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of the book*
The characters in this book are completely flushed out and I loved learning about each one and seeing them work together on the Invictus crew with Far. These characters already had relationships with each other so this book was focused solely on the adventure which I really enjoyed (Think Six of Crows when it comes to great group dynamics). It was refreshing to see both friendships and romances already in place rather than forming during the book. I liked watching the relationship evolve and strengthen between the characters.
This book definitely focuses on the story and the adventure. Since we are following a group of time-traveling thieves, there is a heavy focus on their daring adventures and how they accomplish their missions without also corrupting time. This is an action-packed adventure that kept me guessing until the end when everything wraps up. That is another unique aspect of this book, we get a standalone science fiction book. I did not feel at all like this book dragged or was rushed to get everything tied up. Graudin did an excellent job finishing the story arc in a single book.
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of the book*
girlreading's review against another edition
5.0
4.5/5*
I was lucky enough to receive an early ARC copy of Ryan Graudin’s upcoming YA Sci-Fi, ‘Invictus’ from the lovely people at the BKMRK stand at YALC at the end of July. After getting my copy signed and nodding like a manic bobblehead at everything Ryan Graudin said whilst on a ‘Writing & Social Change’ panel, I couldn’t have been more excited to pick it up.
*Read my full review here* http://girlreading.co.uk/bookreviews/invictus-by-ryan-graudin-arc-book-review/
I’ve had an odd relationship with reading for a few months now. I’ve been reading some great books but, except for a special few I fell in love with, I haven’t felt my usual rush of love for reading. But I can happily say Invictus was the book of my reading slump dreams.
Opening with a prologue somewhat reminiscent of that scene in Star Trek, (hey Chris Hemsworth and Jennifer Morrison!) I was drawn in and pretty much hooked from the first page. Invictus has an intriguing, funny and diverse crew of characters. And a plot filled with time travel, fast paced action, epic heists and twist and turns throughout. Think Guardians of the Galaxy, had Guardians of the Galaxy been about a group of time travelling teenagers.
Character wise, I instantly warmed to each and every Invictus crew member but Imogen, with her constantly changing kaleidoscope hair, was definitely my favourite. Her quirky ship’s log entries documenting Tetris scores, hair colours, ego’s and music, along with her optimistic, loyal, bubbly and fiercely loving personality, was a constant joy to read.
As for the rest of the crew I loved Gram’s adorable awkwardness and bursts of confidence. Farway was passionate, funny and egotistical in an undeniably charming way. The love and loyalty he felt towards his self made family (the Invictus crew) was heartwarming. Priya was a quieter character but nonetheless strong and smart. Elliott was a mystery and one I thoroughly enjoyed.
I absolutely loved that there was a long standing romantic relationship from the get go, which is so rarely found in YA. I’m also a sucker for the quiet ‘I love you but do you love me? I don’t know what to do. I’ll just sit here, keep my fingers crossed, smile at you and pretend I’m not totally in love with you and hope for the best but we’re super cute’ kind of romance, so I was 100% invested in Imogen and Gram (their Han’s and Leia ‘I know’ Star Wars moment gave my heart all the warm fuzzies.) The multiple dynamics individually and as a group between the Invictus crew was funny, heartwarming and so much fun to read.
I think one of my favourite parts of Invictus were the vivid descriptions of the different time periods the crew travelled to. It was cinematic, incredibly immersive and I now want to travel back in time more than ever *sigh*. I also really enjoyed the ongoing, underlying conversations on subjects such as society, racism and climate change. It was so interesting to read about our present day from a ‘looking back’ point of view.
Lastly, the writing. I loved it. It was so incredibly clever and obviously heavily thought out and plotted but it was never info-dumpy or confusing. It was fast paced, easy flowing and incredibly comfortable to read. I was turning pages and racing through it without even realising I was doing so.
Invictus was a gripping, fast paced, action packed, funny, heart warming, rollercoaster of a read and I couldn’t recommend it more highly.
I was lucky enough to receive an early ARC copy of Ryan Graudin’s upcoming YA Sci-Fi, ‘Invictus’ from the lovely people at the BKMRK stand at YALC at the end of July. After getting my copy signed and nodding like a manic bobblehead at everything Ryan Graudin said whilst on a ‘Writing & Social Change’ panel, I couldn’t have been more excited to pick it up.
*Read my full review here* http://girlreading.co.uk/bookreviews/invictus-by-ryan-graudin-arc-book-review/
I’ve had an odd relationship with reading for a few months now. I’ve been reading some great books but, except for a special few I fell in love with, I haven’t felt my usual rush of love for reading. But I can happily say Invictus was the book of my reading slump dreams.
Opening with a prologue somewhat reminiscent of that scene in Star Trek, (hey Chris Hemsworth and Jennifer Morrison!) I was drawn in and pretty much hooked from the first page. Invictus has an intriguing, funny and diverse crew of characters. And a plot filled with time travel, fast paced action, epic heists and twist and turns throughout. Think Guardians of the Galaxy, had Guardians of the Galaxy been about a group of time travelling teenagers.
Character wise, I instantly warmed to each and every Invictus crew member but Imogen, with her constantly changing kaleidoscope hair, was definitely my favourite. Her quirky ship’s log entries documenting Tetris scores, hair colours, ego’s and music, along with her optimistic, loyal, bubbly and fiercely loving personality, was a constant joy to read.
As for the rest of the crew I loved Gram’s adorable awkwardness and bursts of confidence. Farway was passionate, funny and egotistical in an undeniably charming way. The love and loyalty he felt towards his self made family (the Invictus crew) was heartwarming. Priya was a quieter character but nonetheless strong and smart. Elliott was a mystery and one I thoroughly enjoyed.
I absolutely loved that there was a long standing romantic relationship from the get go, which is so rarely found in YA. I’m also a sucker for the quiet ‘I love you but do you love me? I don’t know what to do. I’ll just sit here, keep my fingers crossed, smile at you and pretend I’m not totally in love with you and hope for the best but we’re super cute’ kind of romance, so I was 100% invested in Imogen and Gram (their Han’s and Leia ‘I know’ Star Wars moment gave my heart all the warm fuzzies.) The multiple dynamics individually and as a group between the Invictus crew was funny, heartwarming and so much fun to read.
I think one of my favourite parts of Invictus were the vivid descriptions of the different time periods the crew travelled to. It was cinematic, incredibly immersive and I now want to travel back in time more than ever *sigh*. I also really enjoyed the ongoing, underlying conversations on subjects such as society, racism and climate change. It was so interesting to read about our present day from a ‘looking back’ point of view.
Lastly, the writing. I loved it. It was so incredibly clever and obviously heavily thought out and plotted but it was never info-dumpy or confusing. It was fast paced, easy flowing and incredibly comfortable to read. I was turning pages and racing through it without even realising I was doing so.
Invictus was a gripping, fast paced, action packed, funny, heart warming, rollercoaster of a read and I couldn’t recommend it more highly.