Destroyer

Rewinder, Book 2

By: Brett Battles

Narrated by: Vikas Adam

With the whole of human history altered, Denny Younger may be the last rewinder in existence - and the last person on Earth with a chaser unit capable of time travel. While caring for his ailing sister, Denny must discover a way to recharge his device before he's left with no defense against a past that wants him dead. Before long, Denny notices a mysterious stranger following him - keeping tabs on Denny, his family, and his friends. Is Denny just paranoid? Or maybe he isn't alone in this new reality after all....

When his chaser is stolen and his girlfriend is kidnapped, Denny risks everything to get both of them back. Launched into a high-stakes chase that spans continents and millennia, Denny's responsibility to save our future isn't over yet. It will take all of his cunning to stop a threat capable of steering the fate of the human race into disaster.

©2016 Brett Battles (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Book Two

Book Two in the Rewinder series started very well and continued in that vein for most of the book. About two-thirds of the way through, though, the author took us for a very long series of jumps which are not explained but which change history. This part was a bit boring. Then the book ended in a cliffhanger.

It is worth reading, however, just so you know that the story doesn't wrap up in a way that the book is a stand-alone. I do plan to get the next volume in the series and hope I don't have to wait too long. Although most of the characters are young, I still enjoyed the story (I am an older person).

Vikas Adam did a nice job with the narration, just as he did in the first volume.

One major serious drama-spoiling flaw

I am a huge fan of time travel plots because, among other things, they are relatively difficult to present well. When you can alter cause and effect, you can remove any consequences of choice.

I really enjoyed the first book and bought this sequel halfway through that listen. This story was interesting and with a relatively short run time, was well paced and very well narrated. But... I could not help removing myself from the story at dramatic points since the plot was triggered by one (imo illogical) choice. The rationale for making that choice and thus setting off the issues that needed to be overcome was so flimsily made and unbelievable that it became frustrating at each subsequent challenge to the lead character. If I could get over that point I would have enjoyed this book much more. And such is the challenge of writing a good time travel story.

A great sequel to Rewinder!

If you could sum up Destroyer in three words, what would they be?

Time travel rollercoaster

What does Vikas Adam bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Vikas has the right voice for this first person-present story point of view.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. I listed to in over the course of 2 days.

Any additional comments?

I loved the first Rewinder book and was left wanting more. Destroyer is a great second book. It uses everything we learned in the first and leaves us anxious for book #3. Bring it on!!!

A Trip Down History Lane

What about Vikas Adam’s performance did you like?

Everything! He is perfect for the Rewinder series

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

A few actually

Any additional comments?

Last week I posted a review for the first book in the Rewinder Series, written by Brett Battles, and now the time has come to tell you what I thought about the second entry in this very entertaining new saga. The book is called Destroyer and it picks up almost at the same point where Rewinder ended.

I would suggest reading this article only after you've finished enjoying Denny Younger's first adventure. I will try not to spoil anything for newcomers, but for me to be able to explain the plot of Destroyer I'll need to ''set the stage'' properly for my review of this new Time travelling book.

Denny thinks he is the last Rewinder as the result of his earlier choices and he finds himself carrying on his shoulders the responsibility for the well-being of a new family. At some point, he discovers that someone is very interested in his affairs and that someone seems to be following Denny around the city. Our hero dismisses the first few sightings as coincidence and paranoia but something in the back of his head tells him to be careful and I can tell you that he should really do that...

Not after too much time has passed, we find Denny in a lot of trouble, his family in grave danger and the entire history of the World threatened by a mad ... person, seeking revenge on our young Rewinder. All I'm willing to let you know about the rest of the story is that Denny Younger will be a helpless witness to some serious history affecting events and I'm really looking forward to the next book, to see how he will be able to fix the havoc that his nemesis created on a historical rampage.

As always, Brett's writing is awesome! He picks you up and puts you on a roller-coaster ride that goes at insane speeds through twists and turns, never decreasing in intensity or losing its frantic pace and in the end you are left craving for more! With well defined, vivid, smart and lovable characters, Destroyer is a great adventure that will take you on an thrilling trip down History Lane.

The audiobook version of Destroyer is performed by the very talented Vikas Adam. He read Rewinder and now he is back to continue the adventure and to keep us entertained for the duration. In my review for Rewinder I said that Mr. Vikas Adam is perfect for this series and I reiterate that fact once more.

I listened to both audiobooks in two days and I suggest that you do the same. Rewinder and Destroyer combined amount to somewhere around 15 Hours of playtime and thanks to Vikas's amazing narration and to Brett's brilliant writing I enjoyed every second!

You can experience Destroyer as a standalone book, but it is a much better read by taking it together with Rewinder.

Potential!

Loved Rewinder and Destroyer was food, but didn't take advantage of the possibilities for an intriguing story. Took off where Rewinder ended but, ironically, didn't go anywhere.

Chock-full or Paradoxes!

If you like bending your mind with time-travel paradoxes, then you’ll love this sequel to “Rewinder”; I thought it was great!

My only complaint is that a lot of the scenes throughout the story were a little too long. Instead of building anticipation in me they just built up frustration. On many occasions I felt like: “enough already! Just tell me what’s behind the door! (or under the bush…. or around the corner… or after the next jump.” - but maybe I am just too impatient.

Overall it was great fun and based on the way it ended, I am expecting an equality riveting Book 3!

Just keeps getting better

Brett Battles continues to show his creative mind with this original storyline in the Rewinder series. He has created well developed characters, with a lead character that you can’t help but cheer for his success. Vikas Adam once again gives a stellar performance. Even though this is a young adult series, I recommend it to adults as well as young adults.

Disappointing and frustrating

Repetitive time travel sequences do not develop the plot or add to the storyline.

For a brilliant person, Denny's decision making is surprisingly flawed and annoyingly indecisive.

The book's conclusion was inconclusive and I felt robbed at the end.

Please let there be another in the series!

Terrific continuation from Rewinder, but don't start this one until the next one is released.

JUMP!JUMP!! The Chaser will make you JUMP!!!

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Anyone who read book one. There seems to be a divide. Some like it Some don't.

Has Destroyer turned you off from other books in this genre?

Not at all. It's just that this book was unnecessary. So many jumps, I felt like it was such a waste of time. Seems that the Author released a book just to keep us interested until the "Real" book comes out.

Which scene was your favorite?

None really

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment. It was as if it was not a continuation on the previous book. And then the Cliff Hanger at the end lets you know there will be another book. Ugh..............