A Time Traveler's History of Tomorrow
Kendall Kulper’s science fiction novel A Time Traveler’s History of Tomorrow is about young love and personal representation.
In 1934, teenage Genevieve dreams of being a scientist. Spending more time at libraries than home, she sticks out among her peers. Still, she feels so invisible that she gains the literal ability to disappear. While presenting her latest discovery, Genevieve meets Ash, who’s on a mission to prevent the apocalypse using his gift for moving backward in time. After a portal sends Ash and Genevieve back to the 1800s, they work together to prevent catastrophe.
Genevieve earns accolades from her studies and hard work, and her determination to carve out a future in a field dominated by men is compelling. After having the credit for her discoveries stolen by a misogynistic scientist, Genevieve maps out a plan to escape the past, using calculations and grit and studying Ash’s abilities. Ash is engaging too, looking for answers and belonging after losing his brother and being terrorized by a “fortune-telling” pastor. Reckless Ash uses his abilities to gather information to help get the pair home, cheating with “do-overs” when plans go awry.
The duo often lands in worse spots than planned, resulting in humor. In one instance, Ash turns back time several times to fix a heated exchange before deciding to flee instead. The story has intensity, too, as with a later scene where the pair must reach a rift at an exact time without being noticed. After they enlist the help of another scientist who, like Genevieve, was burned because of social norms, the story moves toward a harrowing conclusion marked by new ideas and a new bond between the central heroes.
A Time Traveler’s History of Tomorrow is a surprising science fiction novel in which two teenagers embrace their individuality.
Reviewed by
Brandon Pawlicki
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