Title: Just One Damned Thing After Another
Author: Jodi Taylor
First published June 1, 2013
332 pages, ebook
ISBN: 9781783751778 (ISBN10: 1783751770)
Rating: 3.88
Overview
“History isn’t just a bunch of boring facts and dates,” says the team at the Institute of Historical Investigation. They’re not your typical researchers – they don’t just read books and analyze old documents.
Instead, they dive headfirst into the past, experiencing major historical events up close and personal. From dodging dinosaurs in the Cretaceous Period to narrowly escaping the Great Library of Alexandria’s destruction, these disaster-magnets will stop at nothing to uncover the answers to history’s biggest mysteries.
But their dangerous journey through time is not without consequences. They’ve already caused a few explosions and close calls, and with every new trip, they risk it all.
Will they survive their wild adventures? One thing’s for sure – wherever they go, chaos follows.
Join them on their epic quest to uncover the truth behind history’s greatest moments – and try to keep up if you can.
About the Author
Jodi Taylor is an author whose work has gained international acclaim. Her Chronicles of St Mary’s series follows a group of people who, despite their tendency to cause disasters, investigate major historical events in modern times.
However, it’s important to note that this is not time travel. In addition to this series, Taylor has also written the Time Police series, which is a spinoff of St Mary’s and introduces readers to an international organization with all-encompassing power that differs greatly from St Mary’s, except when it doesn’t.
Taylor is also recognized for her captivating supernatural thrillers featuring Elizabeth Cage, as well as for the charming Frogmorton Farm series, which is a fairy tale for adults.
Born in Bristol and now residing in Gloucester (although both cities might contest this fact), Taylor was known for daydreaming throughout her life, much to the chagrin of her family, teachers, and employers. However, she eventually put her talent for daydreaming to good use and wrote a novel.
Taylor has now written over twenty books, yet she still has no idea what she wants to do when she grows up.
Editoral Review
Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor is a thrilling and engaging novel that combines elements of science fiction, historical fiction, and adventure. Published in 2013, the book is the first in a series of novels that follows the adventures of a group of historians who travel through time to witness important historical events firsthand.
Jodi Taylor is a British author known for her imaginative and humorous approach to storytelling. Her books often feature strong female protagonists and a mix of genres, including science fiction, historical fiction, and fantasy.
Just One Damned Thing After Another is a prime example of her unique style, combining historical accuracy with fantastical elements to create an exciting and unpredictable story.
The plot follows the adventures of the protagonist, Dr. Madeleine Maxwell, or “Max” as she is known to her friends. Max is a historian who is recruited by a mysterious organization called St. Mary’s Institute of Historical Research.
The institute is tasked with traveling through time to witness important historical events, but things quickly take a dangerous turn as Max and her colleagues find themselves embroiled in a deadly plot that threatens the very fabric of time itself.
The setting of the novel spans multiple historical periods, from ancient Rome to World War II. Taylor’s attention to detail and historical accuracy is impressive, and the book is sure to delight history buffs and fans of historical fiction.
However, the book is not limited to historical events, as it also incorporates elements of science fiction, including time travel and futuristic technology.
One of the strengths of the book is its well-developed characters. Max is a likable and relatable protagonist, and her relationships with her colleagues at St. Mary’s are a key part of the story.
The book also features a diverse cast of characters, including several strong female characters who are not defined by their gender.
The pacing of the novel is fast-paced and exciting, with plenty of action and suspense to keep readers engaged. The plot is well-structured and unpredictable, with several twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end.
However, the book is not without its flaws. Some readers may find the humor to be a bit juvenile or forced, and the writing can be clunky at times.
Additionally, the book’s reliance on time travel as a plot device may be off-putting to some readers.
Overall, Just One Damned Thing After Another is a thrilling and entertaining read that will appeal to fans of science fiction, historical fiction, and adventure. While it may not be perfect, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun and exciting read that combines history and fantasy in a unique and engaging way.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
