Invictus
by Ryan Graudin
Synopsis:
Farway Gaius McCarthy was born outside of time. The son of a time-traveling Recorder from 2354 AD and a gladiator living in Rome in 95 AD, Far’s birth defies the laws of nature. Exploring history himself is all he’s ever wanted, and after failing his final time-traveling exam, Far takes a position commanding a ship with a crew of his friends as part of a black market operation to steal valuables from the past.
But during a heist on the sinking Titanic, Far meets a mysterious girl who always seems to be one step ahead of him. Armed with knowledge that will bring Far’s very existence into question, she will lead Far and his team on a race through time to discover a frightening truth: History is not as steady as it seems.
Review:
Farway is a young man who’s dreams are shattered when he fails the final exam before becoming a Recorder like his mother. So when he’s presented with the job of leading a crew back in time to steal minor artifacts from the past, Farway sees it as the next best thing. And it’s also an opportunity to possibly find and rescue his mother who has been missing in time for years.
Invictus is an exciting romp through time. With engaging characters and an intriguing plot, this action-packed story was absolute fun. There were a couple twists I didn’t see coming. And a big finale that doesn’t disappoint. This is a standalone novel, but the fantastic worldbuilding left me wanting more.