A review by joypouros
The Future of Another Timeline by Annalee Newitz

adventurous dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

In this alternate history, time travel has been always been possible, and it is a geological phenomenon. This means it is a field of study and the reality is people are constantly changing history. I loved how this was baked into the book's world. 

The bulk of the plot revolves around an edit war for women's rights. Progress isn't just fought for in the current political stage, but in changing history. 

The world has generally figured out that killing evil people in the past does not work because the social environment that allowed them to succeed still exists and someone just as bad will take their place. Change requires a more grassroots approach. 

Our main character alternates between trying to make positive change in the late 1800s that will have a positive effect on women centuries later and trying to stop something terrible from happening in her personal life in 1992. But edits have unintended consequences. 

Plus, there is a group of incels who are trying to break time travel to freeze edits in a timeline when women have no rights. 

The book is very unexpectedly political and feminist. But it was very interesting and I loved the take on time travel origins.

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