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Lance Johanneson is only nine years old when he has a conversation with his grandpa about the strange lights in the sky during a storm and the particular pattern of thunder he hears. His grandpa shares a similar experience he had when he was younger and tells Lance a secret. When the storm and thunder ring out again, Lance can only watch as his grandpa drives into it and out of his life. Meanwhile, Peabo Bondsmith's brilliant mind sets him apart early in his life. He doesn't fit in with the other kids but begins making plans for his future early.
A chance meeting between Peabo and Johanneson after Peabo fights several bullies becomes the foundation of a lifelong friendship and discoveries far beyond what humans have previously known. After taking slightly different career paths, these two end up working with Dr. Warren. Dr. Warren oversees the Pueblo Foundation, a top-secret institution studying advanced science and engineering, including time travel. However, none of these three suspect that a Nazi descendant and brilliant atomic scientist, Dr. Scholberg, has learned of their work and has already developed plans to use their advances to destroy the world they know and set up a parallel, Nazi-type Earth where he is the ultimate ruler.
Wilson's book quickly draws comparisons to other works. Most notable are the parallel characteristics of the two main protagonists and another protagonist from science fiction legend Orson Scott Card. Card created a similar hero many years ago in Ender Wiggin, hero of Ender's Game. The drive and intelligence these protagonists show as children strikingly resemble that of Ender. Additionally, Wilson uses a lot of fictional science in his work, something another author, Michael Crichton—famous for Jurassic Park and The Andromeda Strain—was known for.
One thing that will likely delight science fiction readers is the expanse of Wilson's imagination in telling a tale of time travel. Most of these readers will be familiar with H. G. Wells' The Time Machine. Wilson does a nice job of taking a common sci-fi concept and making it into a more natural phenomenon. Those who also enjoy the gadgets associated with this genre will find that Wilson's characters have invented a wide range of incredible devices which bend the rules of physics. Additionally, Wilson also adds a lot of drama to the lives of these adventurous scientists. There are love triangles and revenge plot threads woven into the narrative. These additions help the characters stay a little more grounded and relatable.
The style of Wilson's writing is straightforward, without lots of flowing sentences or elaborate metaphors. However, the overall effectiveness of the narrative would be enhanced by some additional editing. The less-than-realistic presentation of scientific concepts may put off hardcore science fiction readers. However, readers who don't care about all the technical details and love the idea of a time-traveling adventure to stop an evil scientist hell-bent on destroying Earth and creating a new one where he rules as a god may find this to be an entertaining romp through the skies.