The Ship Beyond Time

Reviewed by: Sheila Dube - Springvale Public Library, Springvale, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: August 3, 2017

Review

The rules of navigating between time periods, history and myth are expanded in this fantasy sequel to "The Girl from Everywhere". A large game of chess, across historical timelines and map margins, has been forced on Nix and crew by Crowhurst. The history of Hawaii is dangling and the nature of the mythical time is elaborated on. In this sequel, the complex relationship between Nix and her father that drove the plot in the first book is non-existent, although her romantic interest in Kashmir becomes a motivator in her navigating decisions. Along with moments of storm seas, maps, myths and erased memories are moments of description from Nix's inner dialogue that sometimes extinguishes the building tension. Heilig provides notes in the back concerning some of the myths and the historical context of Donald Crowhurst's Last voyage and Captain James Cook. This story ebbed and flowed more than the first one, but for those who love time travel with a hint of romance, readers will not be disappointed.

Overall Book Score: good