A Ripple in Time

A Historical Novel of Survival

By: Victor Zugg

Narrated by: Sean William Doyle

Length: 7 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's Summary

A struggle for survival in a time long past. 

It started as a routine Miami to Charlotte flight for the passengers, crew, and Federal Air Marshal Stephen Mason. But a freak storm over the Atlantic propels the airliner unexplainably back in time to the early 18th century. They find themselves on the sparsely populated coast of the Carolina Colony. Charles Town is the only English settlement of any size in the area. It's an inhospitable place of vast plantations, slavery, hostile natives, tall ships, and marauding pirates. 

Finding a way back, if that's even feasible, is the least of their worries. These unintended time travelers quickly find themselves ill-equipped for hardships and dangers not faced for centuries. Perils loom at every turn in this world of loss, anguish, filth, and sweat. 

Foreigners in their own land, can they survive and adapt? Is it even possible for these modern transplants to carve an existence from this foul and odorous place in time? 

Stephen Mason will find a way or die trying.

©2019 Victor Zugg (P)2019 Tantor

Surprisingly Good!

I love time travel stories, so I thought I would give this one a try. I started listening and I thought it was so-so; I even debated jumping to the end to find out what happened, and then return the book. I’m glad I didn’t do that! I stuck with it. The more I listened, the more the story drew me in. I couldn’t stop listening. What a really nice surprise! I’m not returning the book. To me, it is a “keeper”. I will listen again some day. All I can say is stick with it...you’ll be pleasantly surprised! The narrator did a good job, also.

Like a very good Twilight Zone Episode

What did I like?
The premise for the story was well done. It honestly went in some very unexpected directions from what I had anticipated

What didn’t I like?
Not much. Some of the supporting characters were underdeveloped, but that is minor quibble.

Would I listen to something else by the author/narrator?
Yes to both. Very good audiobook narration and an engaging story by the author.

Not a sci-fi read

I thought this would be a good time travel story. It started off ok but just turned into a cast away story with Indians. I stopped listening after a few hours. Very uninterested.

Excellent story!

I listen to alot of post apocalyptic survival stories and time travel stories. This was a nice combination of the two genres. Some of it was a little predictable but still a very good listen. The Narrator was good and did not take away from the story line. I listen to audible on my long commute to and from work. I couldn't wait to listen to this story each day. I'm sad I've finished it and there is not another one to go to to find out more of the story. However it was tied up nicely at the end.

Better than I thought

It's the Twilight zone meets the Final Countdown. Surprising ending. Once I started listening, I didn't stop.

A good time travel story

Passengers on a flight are flipped back to 1720 by a strange storm. Their attempts to cope with the situation and a lucky find describe most if the novel. Any more information might be a spoiler. this is an easy and fun read. Although the time travelers fare better than one would expect, one will enjoy this book. The ending sort of hints that this is a stand alone novel, but it could be set up for a sequel.

Great Start - Poor Finish

This Could have been a great novel, but was too short to really flesh out the story. It was on a good track, but fell short and felt rushed in the last 1/3 considering the amount of the novel spent giving you a sense of the world. You almost start to feel like the characters are starting to become real and events more interesting, but the book suddenly ends. The ending could have been amazing after another novel to actually connect with the characters, but instead it just feels half finished. Ultimately, enjoyed the idea, but it is too lacking in it's character building to hit home the emotions it intended by the end.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. However

I am one of those people who really get annoyed when books, movies or TV shows try and force a story into the direction they want by doing something that no one in their right mind would do. About four-fifths of the way into this book the principal characters choose to trust their fate to a sea chase rather than just wait out a difficult encounter or walk to their location which could have easily been done. To me, it was a pointless risk and I don't think real people would do it.

Other than that I liked the book. It was a good read.

Decent story, but super apathetic and casual

characters are way too nonchalant about their circumstances, ruined the vibe for me. Ended up listening to most of the book while researching another book to read. Everytime I tuned back in, I realized I didn't miss anything significant

Meh

A thoroughly adequate time travel novel with a bland opening, a promising middle, and an ending that does kill the idea that it would become a full blown series. If you like Final Countdown you might like this to... if you don't then I'd pass.

Incredible!

I was gripped by this one from the very beginning, what a story! Shame there wasn't much more to the ending but still made for a very memorable listen.

Enjoyable tale

I love time travel stories based on more real people than science fiction one and enjoyed this one- it’s got unrealistic events that make the characters lives easier. The story is a bit formulaic but hey it’s fiction and I liked the historical experiences and the story idea so found it an easy listen and an enjoyable tale.

Good Story

Enjoyed this. I love time travel and this didn't disappoint. i would have liked to have heard a chapter or so about Masons return - how he fared getting back to Karen etc.
Not sure how the blue light and storm happened in the sea though... but anyway the ending was good and overall it was a nice listen!
Narrator was okay.

Good O’le Fashion Time Traveling Yarn

Nothing terribly original about the story, but if you enjoy time travel stories this will keep you listening. Like other review comments character building is quite lacking, with exception of the main character. The lack of emotional tension is a bit weird, however the tale is an interesting fantasy.
The narrator is only average. Does a good enough job, but not terribly developed. But, his American accent is not too hard on the ears.
Recommend for “light entertainment”.

good storyline but narrative could be better

I liked the story but there were no reactions or back stories and reactions. The human element was a bit lacking.