Friday, August 23, 2013

The Wells Bequest by Polly Schulman

The Wells Bequest (The Grimm Legacy, #2)
 
Leo never imagined that time travel might really be possible, or that the objects in H. G. Wells’ science fiction novels might actually exist. And when a miniature time machine appears in Leo’s bedroom, he has no idea who the tiny, beautiful girl is riding it. But in the few moments before it vanishes, returning to wherever—and whenever—it came from, he recognizes the other tiny rider: himself!

His search for the time machine, the girl, and his fate leads him to the New-York Circulating Material Repository, a magical library that lends out objects instead of books. Hidden away in the Repository basement is the Wells Bequest, a secret collection of powerful objects straight out of classic science fiction novels: robots, rockets, submarines, a shrink ray—and one very famous time machine. And when Leo’s adventure of a lifetime suddenly turns deadly, he must attempt a journey to 1895 to warn real-life scientist Nikola Tesla about a dangerous invention. A race for time is on!

In this grand time-travel adventure full of paradoxes and humor, Polly Shulman gives readers a taste of how fascinating science can be, deftly blending classic science fiction elements with the contemporary fantasy world readers fell in love with in The Grimm Legacy
Now, I would be lying if I said I went into this book unbiased.  Seeing as when I reviewed it's companion novel, The Grimm Legacy, ages ago, and I gave it five stars and a great review.  So honestly, it was a little surprising that I had never even heard of this book (even with all the hoping I did for a sequel after I finished the first) until lo and behold, I caught the authors name at the library and nearly jumped for joy.

Unfortunately, the book follows a new set of pages at the repository.  I was obviously disappointed to let go of the pages I loved in the first book, and was also a little sad to see very little mention of them, beyond one quick story, a reference to the first book made by one of the main characters sister, and a quick one-lined cameo by my least favorite of the original characters.  Still, those who loved Jaya in the original book (like me!) will not be disappointed!

The plot was pretty good, though not amazing.  Still, it was fluid and, though a little slow at times, pretty fast-paced, which allowed for a larger feel of the universe the book takes place in.

Really, my biggest complaint about the book, beyond the fact that there were not many mentions of Grimm Legacy's pages, was the main character, Leo.  While by the end of the book I liked him a ton, it took me far to many chapters to get a feel for his character and begin to develop an interest in him. 

While this review makes this book seem full of flaws, I can assure you that it was a fast, fun, and good read!  Especially for fans of the first book!  I feel like a lot of what I loved was the nostalgia for a book I haven't read in a while, but the writing was amazing and I didn't want to put this book down.

Rating: 5/5

Market: YA
Language: None

Violence: Mild
Sensuality: Mild