I had trouble putting this book down. Excellent world building with a fascinating explanation of time travel. The author executes this page turner science fiction/adventure/time travel with amazing brilliance. The surprising conclusion ties it all together in a way that for this reader is satisfying and complete.

it is so rare to read book two of a series and enjoy it even more than the first book, but here we are. As much as I thoroughly enjoyed the introductory book, I enjoyed this one even more. The author does an amazing job of pulling you into every scene and every battle, and making you care about the characters - feeling all their emotions. This book is an immersive experience and look into a world of which little is known - but now I feel I have a better understanding of the culture that was lost so long ago. And now I am anxious for book three!

An awesome second installment to Varga’s time jumper series. This book will find Dan and Sam landing around the year 60 during a time when the Roman’s were destroying the Celts. I enjoyed this second book a lot. I do wish it was slightly longer but hopefully the following books will be published to continue the journey. During this trip Dan and Sam will meet another time jumper who finds himself stranded in time and creating his own way back home. This will cause many difficulties for the pair of travelers. Dan seems to have grown up quite a bit since the first novel, but I suppose having traveled back in time and nearly killed in history will do that to a person. I highly recommend this series.

The Celtic Deception has second book syndrome, but it’s still enjoyable. This book is written with tweens and teens in mind, so the target audience may be less critical than me, but if the author wants to hold the attentions of adult audiences, I recommend revising before the book is published,

First off, the title is a spoiler. I didn’t even question whether the sketchy Druid’s sketchy plan was on the level, and the main characters definitely had other options besides obeying this stranger. That made for less suspense and more being annoyed whilst waiting for things to go wrong.

Speaking of other options for the protagonists, you could march two Roman legions through the plot holes the new functions of the time travel device introduced. (The new function of locating other devices was not even utilized in this book, despite having multiple good reasons to do so, so I’m confused about why they were added at all.) If Dan and Sam only had to dig up the one item and destroy it to ‘fix the glitch’, and they could now use their device to locate other devices, why did they not send a pair of locals and Sam on fast horses to fix the glitch and have Dan and the Druid try to hide themselves, or follow behind Sam in a cart? They didn’t have to get involved in a battle they knew would be a slaughter, as that was the non-glitched historical outcome.

They get involved in the battle though. So when they were betrayed, why did Sam and Dan not use the locator function to find the thieving Druid? When they got back to the future, why didn’t they use the locator function to check for the nearest time travelers instead of blindly walking into a suspected trap? There are a ton of extra time traveling devices laying around now? The details about the time devices and conflict were spare in the first book and didn’t raise a ton of questions, but if I expounded upon all of the questions I have now that inspire doubts about internal consistency, this review would go on too long.

The best part of the story after the descriptions of life in Celtic Wales was Dan’s friendship with Atto. It gave the book a nice ending.

I hope that Dan and Sam don’t have a falling out between every book and have to repeatedly regrow their relationship. It seems like Sam escaping her abusive home, growing emotionally, and a larger entanglement with the time traveling megalomaniac cult will be part of the story in the future. I’m looking forward to it.

Overall, I would say the writing style is consistent with the first book, but the pacing, plot and character building need some work. The author’s knowledge of history and ability to use it as fiction is great. I would love to read some straight historical fiction aimed toward adult audience by this author.

Very interesting, loved the history! Dan and Sam are time jumpers, with the help of "jump sticks", and travel to locations in time where there are anomalies. They are to correct these anomalies and then they can jump back to their own time. There has to be a bad guy, and of course he's rich and powerful, enter Victor. He wants their allegiance or their jump sticks so they can't jump. Dan and Sam learn through their sticks of an anomaly and jump back to the time of the Celts fighting the Romans. They find another jumper there whose partner had taken his stick and left him back their. He created the issue to get jumpers to come and rescue him! What happens next is the whole story! It was a little disjointed, but that could be because of the time jumping. It was a good read and makes me interested in the first and the next! Hoping there is more for Dan and Sam to learn about themselves!

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book.*

I did not read the first novel but "The Celtic Deception" makes sure that you can catch up right away. It's about time travelling teenagers who are hunted by other time travellers. In this book, the two protagonists travel to Boudiccan times Wales. They meet a time traveling druid who has been stuck there for a while and are threatened by the arrival of the Roman conquerors.

As somebody with a Celtic Studies degree rating this book, I am sorry to say that I am not happy: it was poorly researched, the othering was ridiculous, and the Celts seemed useless and were ridiculed throughout - of course an American teen needs to save them... In connection to the narrative, it was terribly predictable and the teenage protagonists feel older than they are. I was quite annoyed by this stereotypical and not really properly researched take on Wales and the oversimplification and overgeneralisation of all the Celtic content. I did like parts of the story though, such as the somewhat mad Celtic dude leaving a message. That was funny.

But overall disappointing, but I haven't found an Andrew Varga book that I actually enjoy yet, so maybe I am part of the problem as well.

I loved this story. Even though I haven’t read the first book in the series, I never felt like I was lost. The characters were very relatable and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

I received this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I did not read the first book in this series but easily followed the story and this could be read as a stand alone with no trouble at all. However, I will be going back and reading the first because I enjoyed this so much. I requested the ARC based soley on the title due to my own English and Welsh heritage and interest in the Celtic history.

The mix of historical fictition and sci fi/fantasy was intriguing and kept the story exciting from page one.

Dan and Sam work wonderfully and compliment each other so well. Dans devotion and commitment to his friends is a theme that always keeps me interested in a story.

I can't wait to see what other adventures they find themselves on!

Andrew Varga has another winner here. The Celtic Deception is smart and a great escape. Thank you for these clever books. I love the way the last and present are woven together.

I really like this series. I think this book would stand alone well, but it would probably be better to read them in order, as this is a continuation of the first story which was left with a cliffhanger.
Our teen heroes time travel to Celtic Wales 2000 years in the past. An adventure ensues similar to the first book but in a different setting. They solve the timeline glitch and return to the present and still have to deal with the cliffhanger problem from book 1. I found this part of the story somewhat abrupt. It still is not resolved by the end of this novel; therefore, this part of the story is the thread binding all of the novels in the series together. The Celtic story came to a satisfying conclusion at the end of the novel.
This series is intended for YA reader. I would rate it PG-13 for language, violence, and teenage boy fantasies. It's a fun adventure story that I think the target audience would enjoy. The characters and historical setting are well-developed. The dialogue is believable and includes an entertaining dose of humor and sarcasm.
These books would make a great tv (or streaming) series. Their episodic nature combined with the ongoing plot make it an engaging series. I will definitely read the next installment.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

The Celtic Deception is the second book in the Jump in Time series but could be read as a stand-alone story. Once again 17 year old time jumper Dan faces the threat and evil plotting of villain Victor Stahl. Though Victor has forbidden him from time jumping, Dan and fellow jumper Sam travel back in history to 60 AD Celtic Wales where they must once more solve a time glitch in order to return home. Celts are fleeing the approaching Roman army which is intent on destroying their homes and culture. Dan and Sam encounter druids, make Celtic friends and meet a suspicious stranded fellow time jumper. In the course of the Roman attack, Dan must once again fight and faces threats to his life and his very future. Sam searches for the original glitch while Dan creates one of his own. Will he and Sam make it home?

Once again Andrew Varga has given us an exciting story full of action, suspense, raw emotion and historical detail. Dan and Sam’s relationship evolves over the course of their travels. Several hints of what will be explored in the next book are included at the end of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and eagerly await the next instalment in the series! I give this book five stars!

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read the ARC of this book.

Not the typical time travel book.

Was not expecting much, just another time travel book, but was really surprised. I actually enjoyed nthis book!

The story was fast moving and exciting.

The time period was perfect (the Celtic island of Anglesey in 60 CE). I am not a huge history buff, but I loved this setting and the author's descriptions give the sense of being there.

Dan and Sam on my favorite characters, which is as it should be. And I absolutely hate Victor. Author had me from chapter one

Recommend.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an advance copy of this book in return for my honest opiniond.

5 Stars!! Loved this book just as much as the first book in this series! This is the second book in the ‘A Jump in Time’ series and can be read as a standalone, although I recommend reading book one first. The author has a way of giving tons of historical facts and making it actually interesting and entertaining. Perfect read for teens and adults. I’d say it’s a mix of historical facts & fiction, mystery, with a bit of romance thrown in, lots of adventure, fighting, action, surprises around every corner, and all in all a very entertaining read that I HIGHLY recommend!! I love that I feel smarter for having read this book too, since there were so many facts included which the author then explains a bit at the end. This book had me crying over people that were mistreated and dead over 2,000 years ago and I really can’t wait for the next book in this series! So worth reading! You won’t be sorry!
*I received this at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*

“Waiting for a new glitch to appear became a daily agony”
“But sometimes there are many paths leading to the same destination”
Wow !! I was a fan of book one which completely changed my way of seeing time travel but this one … if possible it was even better !!! I enjoyed Dan and Sam’s journey through Celts and Romans’ fights so much this time around that I actually couldn’t put the book down.
I felt completely enraptured but the plot and the mystery still connected to Victor and both their real lives.
Again I managed to create some friends in a place where, technically, you shouldn’t have them.
After all if you jump in the past … it’s not like you’re gonna be there forever … right?
I loved how the author developed the relationship between Dan and Sam and how much stronger they both are when they’re together, if compared to when they’re apart !! I love how much they find solace in their friendship and they trust each other even during the darkest and most doubtful of times !!
I had so much fun reading this second instalment and I actually both cannot wait for it to be out and the story to grow!!!
“Just two heroic time jumpers celebrating the fact that they aren’t dead”
“Here’s to you Atto, my friend. And to doing the impossible”

This is a young adults SF Historical Fiction and succeeds in forming that sense of wonder about the past
How the past has led to the present and how things may of been different if any changes were made
Within the story the characters actions were believable always difficult to see how people from another timeline would fit into being parachuted into a time and place in the past
A very good read and will give young people more a sense of some Historical Facts
I recommend this to any young or old interested in SF Time Travel and History

It has been four months since Dan returned from his first jump in time with Sam. Although his father is still in the hospital in a coma, he has attained some sense of normalcy by going to school and studying history now with a renewed interest. After an alarming encounter with the man who attacked his dad, a time glitch sends both Dan and Sam to Wales in the year 60 AD, during the roman invasion of the territory occupied by the celts. Not a lot is known about the celts, but one thing is sure: the upcoming battle with the romans is a sure defeat. As Dan tries to survive without changing the course of history, he experiences betrayal, heartache, and true friendship, with the definite possibility that he may not be able to jump back to his life.

One of the things I highly value when I am reading a book is its capacity to pique my curiosity; to inspire me to learn more. This is exactly what the author does with the second installment of the “Jump in Time” series. The plot is agile and interesting, full of historical facts without being boring. The characters are relatable and believable in their logic and choices. I especially enjoyed both characters’ quick thinking and persistence, and the humor interlaced in the novel.

Overall, another great read by this author and a five-star book for me. I highly recommend this series.

If you love action, jump in time themes, and history, look no further; this book is for you.

Thanks to NetGalley and Imbrifex Books for providing me with a free digital copy to review this book prior to its release.

#TheCelticDeception#NetGalley#bookstagram#booktrovert#booklover#netgalleyreviewer#bookstagrammer#bookreviews#goodreads#netgalleyreviews#bookshelf#booknerd

Nach dem furiosen ersten Teil der „Jump In Time“-Abenteuerserie war ich gespannt auf den nächsten, und ich sag es gleich vorab, es war erneut klasse!
Die Time-Jumper, also auf deutsch die Zeitenspringer, sind eine kleine Truppe Leute, die seit Generationen auserwählt sind, Pannen und Störimpulse in den Zeitläuften zu beheben, um so den korrekten Ablauf der Geschichte wiederherzustellen und zu gewährleisten. Eigentlich wird dieses Wissen und diese Verpflichtung von Vater zu Sohn weitergegeben – der 17jährige Dan allerdings wird völligst unvorbereitet ins Time-Jumping geworfen. In seinem ersten Abenteuer hat er sich perfekt den Wagnissen gestellt und Sam getroffen, ebenfalls eine mehr oder weniger unfreiwillige Time-Jumperin, die mittlerweile zu seiner besten Freundin geworden ist. Im zweiten Band nun geht es nahtlos weiter: Sam und Dan landen in Wales im ersten nachchristlichen Jahrhundert bei den Kelten und sehen sich den römischen erobernden Legionen gegengestellt. Faszinierend wird es, als sich einer der keltischen Druiden als moderner Amerikaner herausstellt, der seit fast 2 Jahrzehnten bei den Kelten festsitzt und der alles daran setzt, wieder nach Hause zu kommen – und Sam und Dan sich fragen müssen, wer hier welches Spiel mit ihnen treibt.
Mein Leseeindruck: das waren erneut über 500 Seiten, die ich durchgesuchtet habe. Es ist spannend, abenteuerlich, flüssig geschrieben, sehr lebendig und bildhaft, und ich bin durch die Seiten geflogen.
Prinzipiell teilt der Verlag diese Serie ob der beiden jungen Hauptdarsteller ins Genre „Teens und YA“ ein, aber diese Romane sind universell klasse. Der Autor ist Historiker, und die Bücher sind richtig gut recherchiert, das ist eine lebendige Geschichtsstunde. Und richtig gut erzählt, ich wiederhole mich. Die Kelten und ihre Kultur sind mir hier nahegebracht worden, eingebettet in eine mitreißende Abenteuergeschichte.
Gut gemacht ist hier auch die Storyline um die jeweiligen Time-Jumps herum. Die Zeitreisenden müssen sicherstellen, dass die Geschichte genau so abläuft, wie wir sie aus den Geschichtsbüchern her kennen. Das ist mal eine neue Idee – normalerweise kenne ich diese Geschichten so, dass jemand in eine fremde Zeit reist und aufpassen muss, nicht gemäß des Schmetterling Effektes alles zu verändern und dann in eine Gegenwart zurückzukommen, in der alles anders ist, sondern nein, hier muss Dan beispielsweise dafür sorgen, dass eben sehr wohl die römische Eroberung genau so abläuft, wie wir sie kennen…..aber ein klein wenig tricksen geht natürlich schon, wenn man zumindest einen Teil seiner neuen keltischen Freunde retten möchte 😉.
Und es gibt noch eine andere größere Storyline, nämlich die der Verschwörung in der Gegenwart: Victor Stahl, der Oberbösewicht und Time-Jumper, der die Weltherrschaft anstrebt und gestoppt werden muss, und auch das ist dann die Story, die sich durch die ganze Reihe zieht (zumindest bislang tut sie das). Also, man kann die Bände natürlich einzeln lesen, die Abenteuer in der jeweiligen Zeit (hier bei den Kelten) sind in sich abgeschlossen, aber die übergelagerte Story ist es eben nicht. Von daher macht es hier Sinn, mit Band 1 zu starten.
Also: das Buch ist brillant, bitte lesen, und vielen Dank erneut an Netgalley für das Rezensionsexemplar!!

The second novel in the Jump in Time series, The Celtic Deception can certainly be read as a stand alone. Daniel and Sam are time jumpers who go though time to correct a glitch in the time continuum. This time they jump to Wales in 60 AD during the Roman takeover of the druids on the island of Anglesey. An exciting read this one is easily enjoyed by young and old alike. Historically informative in the most pleasurable way. An excellent read for history and adventure lovers.
#TheCelticDeception#NetGalley

He’s done it again! A brilliant addition to this already promising series. I was thrilled to rejoin Sam and Daniel as they jump through time to save history as well as our future. Mr. Varga continues to captivate with his talents for interweaving historical fact with adventure, humor, and romance in this thrilling tale on the shores of Wales. History enthusiasts and casual readers alike will find themselves captivated by the constant twists and turns our heroes face. Hard as I tried I was unable to put this book down and am eagerly awaiting the next in this series. I loved how historically accurate this book strived to be despite the lack of knowledge we have from that period. I can’t think of a better way of bringing the past to life for teens and adults.

The Celtic Deception by Andrew Varga
Publish date: September 2023

This second “Jump in Time Novel” is another hit out of the park. Varga has succeeded in combining history with adventure, imagination, tension, and a bit of humor to create another journey for Dan Renfrew. This book, though a second in the series, can easily stand on its own with an exciting story that creates conflict at every turn. Just when you think Dan and Sam, his partner in jumping, have solved one problem, another unexpected dilemma rises.

The Celtic Deception opens with an encounter between Dan and the villain, Victor Stahl, a very powerful and scary man. Though promising Victor that he won’t jump again, when the opportunity arises, Dan and Sam make another jump, this time into Celtic Wales. They meet another time jumper who has created a glitch in time to get home. Dan and Sam become entrenched in the Celtic culture, interacting with a host of colorful characters, both good and bad.

Once again, Varga has created an interesting and well-developed plot with twists and turns that keep the reader turning the pages. The ending is satisfying, and leaves the reader hungry for more Dan Renfrew adventures.

As in the first book, The Celtic Deception will appeal to a variety of readers with its historical accuracy, adventure, and time travel elements. Readers will not be disappointed with Dan Renfrew’s latest adventure!