BOOK REVIEW: The Psychology of Time Travel by Kate Mascarenhas @KateMascarenhas @crookedlanebks @ckemmelhainz #thepsychologyoftimetravel

I’m thrilled to finally share my full review of The Psychology of Time Travel by the incredible Kate Mascarenhas. This book completely captivated me, and I actually purchased the hardcover and am on a second reading of it because I loved it SO much! On my second reading, I’m picking up on so many wonderful clues and moments that weave together and delight me even more now that I can place them in the context of the full novel. This is a book that should be read many times–the best kind of book in my opinion!

About the Book

In 1967, four female scientists worked together to build the world’s first time machine. But just as they are about to debut their creation, one of them suffers a breakdown, putting the whole project―and future of time travel―in jeopardy. To protect their invention, one member is exiled from the team―erasing her contributions from history.

Fifty years later, time travel is a big business. Twenty-something Ruby Rebello knows her beloved grandmother, Granny Bee, was one of the pioneers, though no one will tell her more. But when Bee receives a mysterious newspaper clipping from the future reporting the murder of an unidentified woman, Ruby becomes obsessed: could it be Bee? Who would want her dead? And most importantly of all: can her murder be stopped?

Traversing the decades and told from alternating perspectives, The Psychology of Time Travel introduces a fabulous new voice in fiction and a new must-read for fans of speculative fiction and women’s fiction alike.

Reflection

Intelligent, intricate, delicate, and captivating… I am so in love with this novel! This is so much more than a mystery that involves time travel. To me, this is a book about the implications of being the first to do something groundbreaking, and about how different people react to power. Because in a way, time travel is power. What is at the core of each of us as humans? Would we all succumb to the mental and emotional impact that time travel has? At what point do we lose point of what makes us humans, who love and feel emotions, and experience highs and lows?

If, like me, you are uncertain about a book about time travel (I rarely read science fiction, fantasy, or related genres) then I encourage you to branch out. This story is really one that needs to be told. I think the characters were perfect—even the ones that I didn’t like. I wouldn’t change a thing about any of them. And the time travel is hard to describe—it is the essential core to the book, but it is also not the focus. The characters, their stories, the way they develop, and the mystery—that is what the book is about.

I don’t want to spoil anything, so I want to be careful here with how I describe the four pioneers. They each have such a unique character and role in the story, and it builds more and more as the book goes on. Even the pioneer that seems more harsh (you’ll be able to figure out who fairly early, but no spoilers!) became sympathetic to me in her own way. I loved seeing four strong females leading this book! This is definitely a book about the ladies–nearly every memorable character for me was a female. Go, girls!

I love the way Mascarenhas delves into the implications of this scientific break-through. There needs to be laws and codes on conduct, and there needs to be research into the impact on the human body and mind by unleashing this breakthrough. How do we determine who is best suited to hold this privilege? As a psychologist myself, the characters and how they develop throughout the novel were truly the best part. And by the end I found myself in awe of the way everything was tied together. There wasn’t a single character, story, or moment that went unaccounted for. A masterpiece!

I received a copy from Crooked Lane Books and purchased my own physical copy. Opinions are my own.

Check out my instagram page today for a flash giveaway of this book!!!