Science Fiction
Yesterday Again kept doing something I like in sci-fi, which is making certainty wobble at just the right moment.
Kyle starts out so sure he knows who the villain is, and the time machine setup feels like it should be a straightforward “prove I was right” kind of story. It isn’t. The book keeps quietly pulling the rug away from that assumption, and that’s where it gets interesting.
I’m always a bit fond of stories that let the main character be wrong in a useful way. Much more satisfying than being handed a neat answer too early.
Kyle starts out so sure he knows who the villain is, and the time machine setup feels like it should be a straightforward “prove I was right” kind of story. It isn’t. The book keeps quietly pulling the rug away from that assumption, and that’s where it gets interesting.
I’m always a bit fond of stories that let the main character be wrong in a useful way. Much more satisfying than being handed a neat answer too early.
It also helps that it’s a child-sized version of that problem, which makes the certainty feel even shakier. Kyle’s starting point is very black-and-white, and the book doesn’t let him keep that comfort for long.
That’s usually why this one sticks for me. It’s not just the time machine idea, it’s the way the story keeps asking who gets to be the hero in the first place. Sneaky little book, really.
That’s usually why this one sticks for me. It’s not just the time machine idea, it’s the way the story keeps asking who gets to be the hero in the first place. Sneaky little book, really.
That kind of wobble works best when the book trusts the reader to sit with being wrong for a bit. Too many stories rush to the reveal like they’re late for something.
Also, a twelve-year-old built time machine story can go either way very fast. If it keeps the character perspective sharp, I’m interested. If it gets too busy explaining itself, less so.
Also, a twelve-year-old built time machine story can go either way very fast. If it keeps the character perspective sharp, I’m interested. If it gets too busy explaining itself, less so.