3.5 stars, rounding up for the fun factor.

Sanders is, in 8 year old Eli Teague’s opinion, the most boring town in the state of Maine, and probably in all of the United States. It doesn’t have internet, cell phone towers, cable TV or even a library (it does, however, have a video store). So when Eli sees a 1929 Model A coupe by the side of the road, and its young driver Harry takes Eli’s bottle of water and pours it into the fuel tank and takes off, hotly pursued by an odd man in a black Hudson Hornet auto with a large gun, it makes an indelible impression on Eli.

Eli meets Harry and her water-fueled Model A again when he’s 13 ― at which point he realizes Harry (short for Harriet) is a girl ― and again when he’s 29. Each time, Harry doesn’t appear to have aged appreciably. Harry mentions that she’s going to be at Quincy Market in Boston in a few days before she disappears from his life the third time. This time, though, Eli thinks he’d better find her in Boston and warn her that a (literally) faceless man is on her trail, the same man he saw pursuing her years earlier.

Complications arise, as anyone but Eli might have expected, and Eli and Harry soon find themselves as somewhat reluctant partners on a strange road trip that takes them back and forth across the U.S., and through different points in history. Harry is one of a loosely-allied group called “the Searchers” who are seeking the lost American Dream. The Dream is am immensely valuable physical item forged by the Egyptian god Ptah at the behest of the founding fathers. It mysteriously disappeared in the 1960s, and the searchers are digging through pockets of American history in a contest to find and control the American Dream, while trying to avoiding being killed by the faceless men, one-time protectors of the Dream who believe the searchers are endangering it.

Paradox Bound is a time travel romp (though Harry would correct you, insisting that it’s “history travel”) blended with an all-American road trip. It has a bit of a National Treasure vibe mixed with a whiff of Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol. Despite several tense moments and a little murder and torture on the side, Paradox Bound is a relatively lighthearted adventure. The faceless men are undoubtedly creepy and threatening, but also have a faintly cartoonish feel to them, perhaps because I never saw a compelling reason for them to be made eyeless and mouthless (how do they get nourishment, anyway?). I did appreciate Harry’s explanation that the faceless men are gifted with “certainty,” an innate ability to be absolutely certain of everything within about a three hundred yard radius of themselves.

This certainty, along with its ramifications, is a clever idea, one of many in Paradox Bound. The searchers learn to spot and use locations they call “slick spots” to slide from one point in time to another (“There’s a street in Dallas which only leads to November of 1963”). Folklore enthusiasts will enjoy meeting John Henry in the flesh; Star Trek fans will chuckle over his reference to transparent aluminum. A famous movie star that Eli meets once faked his death so that he could become a full-time Searcher. Apparently American history isn’t quite what we think it is.

There are weaknesses in Paradox Bound that keep it from reaching its fullest potential. The plot takes quite a while to fully develop, and occasionally got a little convoluted and meandering, wandering off into tangential byways. The characterization is on the thin side; I don’t think any of the main characters have made a permanent impression on me. I’ll remember this book more for its inventive plot and ideas. Not all of them worked for me, but enough did that I can envision rereading Paradox Bound and enjoying many things on the Second Iteration that I missed the First Time Around. (<---These are the names of two of the three pubs in a town called Hourglass, frequented by the Searchers.) Overall it was goodhearted fun, with some intriguing ideas on time and paradoxes, and an affectionate view of our country and its history.

I haven't read every single one of Peter Clines' novels (although I think I've only missed 2, and one is currently on my bookshelf waiting for me to get to it), but based on the books I have read, I have yet to find one that fell flat for me.

Paradox Bound is his latest novel, and it is a bizarre twist of a book compared to his zombie superhero novels and the world of 14 and The Fold. This one is Americana all the way through. It has a road trip (very American) in a Model A Ford, time travel, small towns that seem to live in the past, and a quest to find The American Dream, which is an actual object guarded by Faceless Men, which has been stolen.

Seriously, can you get more American than that?

Our entry point to the story is Eli Teague, who lives in one of those towns that seems out of sync with the rest of the world. Twice, as a kid, he runs into Harriet 'Harry' Pritchard and her Model A Ford that runs on water, and in one case a male travelling companion. The third time he runs into her, he ends up being pulled into her world, and the world of the other time travellers all searching for The American Dream. Unfortunately, this also brings him into the sights of the Faceless Men who kill anomalies, and are trying to recover the stolen dream that they had been tasked with guarding.

This leads to a road trip through the present, past, and future, and pulls in real historical figures, as well as legendary characters (such as John Henry, of the contest with the steam hammer fame).

The twists in the book manage somehow to be both predictable, and yet twisting expectations *just* enough to still surprise you, and the combination resulted in the book being intensely satisfying.

There are few writers that I will read without knowing anything about what the book is about. The list morphs over time, but currently, Peter Clines is high up on the list, and I look forward to seeing what he writes next.

Enjoyable, though it took me some time to get truly invested in the story. Peter Clines is one of my favorite modern writers - such imaginative storytelling -and Paradox Bound is a clever, intricate story where everything clicks together like satisfying puzzle pieces. But the main character, Eli Teague, is not nearly as captivating as Cline's previous creations. Ultimately, it's a win for the time-travel/sci-fi genre, but not Clines' best.

Review of PARADOX BOUND by Peter Clines

Author Peter Clines unfailingly delivers a vastly imaginative landscape, in every single novel. In 14, in FOLD, and in PARADOX BOUND, he gives readers an unparalleled reading experience: escapism, but not only that. He also stretches our intellects and ignites our imaginations. In short, he molds us into individuals enlarged and improved for having read his work.

In PARADOX BOUND, he introduces us to the concept of "history travel," as feckless but well-intentioned protagonist {and hero} Eli Teague of tiny Sanders, Maine, discovers that yes, Virginia, time travel exists, and you can do it while driving. The Founding Fathers of the United States had a lot more metaphysical grasp than is taught in history books and classrooms. They arranged the creation of an actual, physical, American Dream, which inspires citizens to expand and excel and to live their dreams (just as this novel inspires readers). But the Dream disappeared in 1963, and searchers travel throughout and across U. S. history, hunting it, while the ranks of "faceless men" track the searchers.

It's a paradox how Peter Clines keeps writing mind-bending books that stretch your imagination while you laugh. It's a paradox how he takes typical sci-fi tropes and turns them on their heads to astonish and amaze. And it's Paradox Bound that is his latest novel of insanity, humanity, and the ultimate secret to healing America's fractured spirit. 

Eli Teague is just a kid when he first sees the tricked-out Model A and the mysterious driver in the weird costume. The driver accepts his offer of some water, puts it in the car, and takes off with another car hot on its tail. Eli sees a man with a strange face and a gun in the second car, and he has nightmares for weeks afterwards.

The second time Eli sees the car, he's a teenager and knows enough about cars to understand a little about how the engine works. So when he sees the driver (still wearing the Revolutionary War attire) put more water into the car, he has questions. But the driver, Harry (short for Harriet), doesn't have the time to explain much about the upgrades to her Model A, so Eli has to bite back his questions. 

But when the scary man Eli saw as a kid shows up at the bank where he works and threatens his life to get information on Harry, Eli decides to take a chance. He knew she was heading to Boston and when and where she was going to be there, so he heads to Boston to warn Harry. And from there, weirdness and hilarity ensue (aka Clinesisms; see also 14 and The Fold). 

Paradox Bound is the search for what makes America great. It moves through the country and through history to try to find The American Dream in all its glory. There are good guys and bad guys, shifts and surprises, anachronisms and cleverness. It's a fun ride, so jump into the Model A and hang on tight while Peter Clines takes you on the read of your life. 



Galleys for Paradox Bound were provided by Crown Publishing through NetGalley.com, with many thanks.

One of the challenges inherent to working in the realm of speculative fiction is finding new ways to explore standard genre tropes. After decades upon decades of sci-fi storytelling, it can be difficult to find interesting takes on ideas that appear to be more or less creatively exhausted.

While that difficulty does mean that a lot of newer science fiction feels a bit boilerplate, it also means that when an author finds a way to reinvigorate an idea, the end result is almost always as compelling as it is refreshing.

Peter Clines has shown a knack for that sort of conceptual innovation in the past, so it should come as no surprise that his latest novel “Paradox Bound” offers an engaging take on one of the hoariest of genre chestnuts – time travel. It’s a story of one young man’s unexpected journey into history and the centuries-spanning quest into which he inadvertently stumbles.

Eli Teague is a pretty average guy living in Sanders, a behind-the-times town in Maine. It’s the sort of place that doesn’t change a whole lot, but Eli’s fairly comfortable with that. He doesn’t feel any pressing need to get out of his hometown, even if it does seem to be lagging behind the rest of the world. Heck, the town’s got no cell service and it still has a video store.

But if Eli’s honest, his reluctance to leave is informed by some mysterious moments – unexplained years-apart encounters with a bizarrely-clad stranger. This traveler has appeared in Eli’s life twice before, clad in a greatcoat and wearing a tricorne hat, operating a tricked-out Model-A Ford and inexplicably vanishing almost immediately after appearing. He’s never quite been able to get that visitor out of his head.

When the visitor appears again, Eli is ready. He believes he’s prepared to deal with whatever explanation might come his way. He’s determined to get some answers. But this latest encounter with the enigmatic Harry proves to be far more than he ever could have bargained for. He’s swept up into the intrigue of a world beyond his capacity to understand.

Strange and powerful factions are at odds, pursuing one another back and forth across two hundred years of history. The stakes couldn’t be higher – the very foundational fabric of America is at risk. And Eli might just hold the key to saving the American dream.

“Paradox Bound” shakes the dust off the time travel trope and breathes some new life into it. The mechanics of Cline’s “history travel” are different enough to be interesting without ever becoming bogged down in complexities or semantics. He marries that dynamic to a shadow world that is engagingly detailed – including a brand of bad guy that is particularly memorable.

Clines marries his intriguing ideas with a breakneck narrative pace, driving the plot with a relentless energy that refuses to let up even in the story’s quieter moments. That pace pushes the tension, seizing the reader’s attention and never letting go, allowing the page numbers to simply disappear as time – both the time inherent to the tale and that experienced by the reader – becomes a fascinating blur.

Too often, stories like these tend to feature heroes who are little more than ciphers. While there’s certainly some value to allowing readers to project themselves onto a protagonist, the best speculative fiction creates characters that are as compelling as the ideas being presented. Clines has done plenty of that in the past – his 2015 novel “The Fold” springs to mind as an example – and “Paradox Bound” is no exception.

Flaws and foibles – that’s what this kind of tale needs from its heroes. Eli Teague sports the same sorts of imperfections that we all carry, the same questions and doubts that inform our experiences as people. And it is through these human quirks that Eli becomes far more relatable than any cookie-cutter character could ever be.

You might think that time travel stories are played. I wouldn’t blame you. Sometimes, it takes an author like Peter Clines and a book like “Paradox Bound” to remind us that there are still plenty of boxes to think outside. If you like your speculative fiction smart and sharp, with thoughtful ideas and plenty of humor to boot, you’d be well-served to hit the road with Eli, Harry and the rest.

When a book’s description mentions time travel I’m usually hooked. And because I thoroughly enjoyed Peter Clines’ 14 and The Fold, I enthusiastically jumped into his latest, Paradox Bound (Crown Publishing, digital galley).

This science fiction adventure follows Eli Teague, a young IT tech who has spent most of his life preparing for the chance that he might again run into a time traveling woman he first encountered as a boy. When she does reappear, he is ready and determined to learn more about her, setting off on a road trip across the country and through history.


I don’t want to give away any of the plot, so I’ll simply say the premise that drives this journey is a little silly for my taste. But putting that aside I enjoyed the time travel aspects of this book as well as the interplay between the two lead characters. The mechanism for traveling through time is rather original and fits nicely in this story, so I’ll also leave it to readers to discover.

Paradox Bound is a fun read that comes to a satisfying conclusion and, as the title promises, paradoxes add interesting twists to the plot.

First off, I would like to thank the great people over at Crown for the early copy of Paradox Bound and the opportunity to review it.

Paradox Bound is a fast-paced, thrilling, and imaginative read that shovels the American Dream onto your plate with a side of freedom fries.

Eli Teague is just a normal kid; well, he was before he met Harry. Clad in Revolutionary War attire and driving a vehicle that predates the Great Depression, Harry definitely stands out from the crowd in the 20th Century. As their conversation begins, a loud rumble is heard in the distance and Harry becomes rushed to get the show back on the road. Eli looks to where the sound is coming from and sees a vehicle zooming towards them, a hand reaching out the driver's side window and a gun in its grip. He looks to Harry, but the car is already around the corner. Both vehicles are gone and Eli is left to his bike and meager lunch. Similar appearances are made by Harry, both while Teague is older, and Eli has made it his purpose to find out more about this mysterious stranger; especially considering Harry hasn't aged a bit since that fateful day. What happens next is a rickroll of an adventure across the United States, chock-full of history, myths, legends, and faceless men bound to stop them at whatever cost.

I have been a fan of Clines since I picked up The Fold a couple of years ago. He has a way with storytelling that tends to always click in the right moment, tension always building up and then changing direction on a whim. The characters are likable and you always find yourself rooting for them until the very end, even if some of their decisions leave you scratching your head. The writing is simplistic and easy to pick up, and it is one that you can put down without forgetting everything you previously read. Clines also does a superb job of leaving little hints and clues along the way that all intertwine and come together to form a wonderful ending.

All in all, PB was a really fun read and is a book for everyone, especially for those who like a little history with their thrilling action.

I had a hard time getting in Peter Clines most recent novel, Paradox Bound.  Time Travelling through American History, Eli and Harry are on the search for the "American Dream".  In this case, the "American Dream" is a literal object, created by the founding fathers of the United States of America and lost for the past sixty years.

I usually like Peter Clines's novels, but I think with the current state of the USA, constantly being in the news, it's dotard leader and now on the brink of war with North Korea, this was just a bit to much America for me.  I did enjoy that this is set in the same world as two of Clines other novels, 14 and The Fold, but unless you read those two novel, the one sentence that lets you know this is the same world, would be glossed right over by other readers.
I look forward to Peter Clines's next novel, but this one just wasn't for me.

This book is great fun and while offering more substance and enjoyment than its forebearers, it shares more than a passing relationship with the 'Back to the Future' trilogy. Both are road stories involving transformative cars that move through historical and future America. Both are in search of quintessential American values with bullies, poverty and 'bad guys' standing in the way of the American Dream. But Paradox Bound reflects 2017 and the darkness newly discovered. In that sense, it is a more interesting and robust tale. There's room within this story for more than one book. It would be fun to learn more about these journeys. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley and am very appreciative. This is one rollicking good book.

I've read 14 and The Fold; both which are by Peter Clines. I enjoyed reading both of them so when I found out that he had a new book coming out, I was intrigued by the synopsis. of Paradox Bound. While it involves time travelling, it is rather referred to 'history traveling'. The faceless men reminded me of the movie 'The Adjustment Bureau' because of them trying to stop Harry and Eli on their journey. I liked that aspect of the story and how they were depicted. While this book wasn't as enthralling as the other 2 I've read, I did enjoy parts of the book. I did find myself also getting confused with certain parts of the book because of the "travelling through history". After finishing the book, I was kind of disappointed because I felt like the story was pointless.

Paradox Bound was a good book. A good adventure, with solid characters in Eli, Harry, and all the other side characters well fleshed out. I did enjoy it, but I did not find it gripping in an "I must finish this!" way. The idea that the American Dream is a thing to search for was...interesting. But I have to admit, I find the idea of the "American Dream" very...American. Is there not a more global idea? Something that would need finding in Canada? Europe? It could be that I am just very jaded right now in the current political climate. I do think Peter Clines is a fantastic author. I think this was done very well, and everything, from the faceless men to Eleanor, were written perfectly. So if you like his writing, definitely check this out. See if maybe you're in a better place to believe than I was.

This was another fun book by Peter Clines. I had hoped it would be part of his wider universe that he was crafting with 14 and the Fold, but this was more stand-alone. It did have a fun nod though to the potential future of that story which I thought was a nice touch. The pacing was really good and I liked the call-outs for the steampunk features. A couple of the twists did a good job of surprising me, while others were fairly predictable. All in all it was a a great read and certainly not your typical urban sci-fi/Steampunk/fantasy kind of story!

Peter Clines’ Paradox Bound reads like an extended pitch for a tv series. The silly-but-catchy premise has a pair of time travelers zipping around American history in search of the American Dream (literally), pursued by faceless monster-men who want to stop them. Along the way they predictably encounter figures from American history/legend, debunk myths and discover hidden truths about our nation’s past – the kind of “big canvas” setup that makes network execs wipe drool off their chins, even if the novel itself only plays at a handful of such possibilities. The plot ties itself off in a nice, neat, timey-wimey loop but also leaves itself open for further adventures. I’m thinking NBC, maybe USA if they want to go cable.
It’s exactly this kind of pandering to its own premise that keeps this modestly entertaining novel from being anything special. It’s mostly risk-averse in execution – likeable but bland characters, dangerous but not terrifying foes, clues and twists that titillate but don’t awe. Clines is an expert storyteller; he knows how to manipulate the reader by tugging a heartstring here and clenching a forearm there. It all ends up having a bit of a Wonderbread feel to it, though; just another product prepared for mass consumption – a (perhaps inadvertently) cynical by-product of a story that is paradoxically brimming with unjaded optimism.

Peter Clines makes time travel new again!! Loved this book. Not surprised it was good considering how much I liked his others. Such a great idea and a fun read. Will definitely be recommending this to customers.

I'm a sucker for time-travel. I was a sucker for Peter Clines's last effort, which did interdimensional portaling right, and when I saw he had a time travel book? Alrighty, cool, I'm on board.

The end result is just okay.

As a child, Eli meets a strange woman. She reappears a couple more times, the final time is when he heads off to some time-traveling adventures with what can best be described as American time-traveling hobos seeking the literal American Dream. The premise brings us around to some weird wheeling and dealing, some interesting characters, and a conceit in and of itself that is really strange out of context but works in the story.

The big problem, though, is that it's just very difficult to care about what happens. The book gets very bogged down in its own premise, and ultimately took me out of the story more than I hoped it would. The great spots - and there are plenty of them - are too often overshadowed by the problem ones, and that's what keeps a good book from being great.

Overall? A fine story, but not something that needs to be at the top of your list.