REVIEW: An Ocean of Minutes by Thea Lim

Genre: Science Fiction

Publisher: Viking

ISBN: 0735234914

Format: Hardback, Paperback, E-Book,
Audio-Book

Release Date: 26th June 2018


Links: Goodreads, Amazon.com, Indigo,
B&N, Book Depository

Website, Twitter


Rating: 7/10


Synopsis:

America is in the grip of a deadly flu. When Frank gets sick, his girlfriend Polly will do whatever it takes to save him. She agrees to a radical plan—time travel has been invented in the future to thwart the virus. If she signs up for a one-way-trip into the future to work as a bonded labourer, the company will pay for the life-saving treatment Frank needs. Polly promises to meet Frank again in Galveston, Texas, where she will arrive in twelve years.


But when Polly is re-routed an extra five years into the future, Frank is nowhere to be found. Alone in a changed and divided America, with no status and no money, Polly must navigate a new life and find a way to locate Frank, to discover if he is alive, and if their love has endured.

Review:

*Thanks to PenguinRandom House Canada for sending me a free copy**

I loved this book! It was a fascinating story with a gripping and exciting storyline. 

An Ocean of Minutes focuses on Polly and her love for Frank. When Frank becomes ill she is willing to do anything to save him. She agrees to travel 12 years into the future to find a way to fight the virus. Her and Frank make plans to meet 12 years in the future to continue their life together. But she travels further into the future than she planned and now she has to locate Frank and navigate her new life.

The beginning of the book there is a real sense of confusion, emotion and hopelessness communicated through Thea Lim's words. Polly is a fantastic character full of deep love for her boyfriend, Frank which is communicated beautifully. I really loved how much strength and dedication she has, and that she loves him so deeply she is willing to do anything to save him. 

The chapters alternate between the past and future. In the past, we read about Polly and Frank's relationship and how deep their love for another runs. The chapters set in the future show the harsh realities. The past may be bittersweet but the future is hard and difficult.

The future is nothing like Polly was expecting. Her home as she knows it is completely different to what she was expecting. She has to come to terms with the new world as well as the struggles of finding Frank now that everything is far different than either of them were expecting.

The ending wasn't what I was expecting but I really loved how everything came together. In the end it was almost bittersweet. In a way, the book the entire book is about whether love can stand the test of time.

Thea Lim balances the science fiction and romance wonderfully. She is fantastic at writing deep emotions and powerful characters. I would have liked to have had more world-building but overall, An Ocean of Minutes is a wonderful story with a fresh plot and memorable characters.