Of course the first thing humans would do once we have the science and technology is figure out how to slow the progress of ageing. Chen’s conceptualization of the future is thoughtful and sensible. It explores a future where time travel is a reality and a job, and while at times we are a tad overloaded with exposition in the dialogue (Chen has to feed us the time travel rules and tidbits somehow), it doesn’t matter because he balances this with credible human relationships. Mike Chen’s debut novel thus fulfils all my reader expectations. I know it’s weirdly dictative on my part to say that, but I just cannot get immersed in the world unless it gives me something to connect my heart to. Science fiction needs to have heart to be good. But the gap between the quiet affection he felt and the deep adoration and love that should have been there stretched to an endless, impossible distance.
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