3.25⭐

LIKED:
- The overall world-building was fascinating. The idea of the worlds with definitely length days but the days also still counting as a day no matter what? A really interesting concept. I wish there had been more detailing of the different worlds and their hour correlations, but it mostly became a North vs. South classism conversation which was still pretty interesting.
- Skipshock as a concept (not the title, the concept the title was based on) was pretty interesting as well. Normally in many fantasy books where traversing across different worlds is a part of it, it’s seen as exciting and a good thing, where Skipshock is very clearly a negative.
- The plot around the watch was the most entertaining plot bit of the book in my honest opinion. It was mostly in the last act, probably the last 20%ish of the book, unfortunately, but it does inspire a bit more confidence for the second book (I think it’s a duology, if I recall correctly)
- This cover is so unbelievably stunning. I knew who Caroline O’Donoghue was before going into this, so that was a part of requesting this ARC, but this cover was really eye-catching (and somewhat suckered me in).

LAMENTED:
- The first half of the book dragged way too much for my taste. We spent so long in the first city and that was not very interesting . This book kind of suffers from “just the last 10%” syndrome, where just the last 10% is really engaging.
- The alternating POV of the chapters was like whiplash every time. Not that it was a different character’s POV every time, but that Moon’s POV was first-person and Margo’s was third-person. I don’t think this was successful and I think that they both should have been one style, I think preferably third-person.
- I did not care about the romance whatsoever and it felt very rushed and forced. They barely connected before it was a big thing that they couldn’t be together? I needed some more yearning. I mean I also just didn’t really care for either of the main characters. Margo was just kind of fine with everything? She never felt like she was actually worried or confident. Just kind of flat. Moon was maybe a bit more interesting due to the religious aspect of his character, but….I don’t know.
- The silver seeds bit was…weird. I never really could get behind it. Maybe I just read how it worked wrong, but it just sounded bizarre to me.
- There were too many characters and I never got the time or space to really care about them to be honest. I think more dedicated time with a solid, smaller ensemble would have been more successful.

LONGED FOR:
- Better chemistry between the main characters
- Less side characters to give them each their chance to shine
- Further exploration into the different sectors of the world

Will I read the next one? : Maybe. I’m not clamoring for it, but I do think that I would pick it up if I’m feeling curious.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this novel.

This was an absolutely crazy concept and I had so much fun reading it. It brought be back to when I was young and YA books were on the rise. The map was very much useful and it helped me visualize where everything was.

The characters were diverse and felt like children grown up too fast in a wartime. They had a maturity to them and they were strong. The plot had drama, romance, magic and action.

I can’t wait too long for the next one, I need it NOW!

wild, unique, charming, interestingly well written. margo is an interesting protagonist, the sequel hook is well set up throughout, and moon is fun. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

This one very pleasantly surprised me! I was enraptured by the complex web of interconnected worlds all churning away at different speeds - and the way that impacts the lives of all those who live in them and move between them. There was a very nice balance between descriptions of the worlds themselves and the progression of plot and character development.

I’ll admit, I was a little worried by the synopsis (I thought Moon was going to be a grown-ass man paired with school-aged Margo, but O’Donoghue does a great job of explaining how Moon is as young as he is and the difference between Moon’s 17 and Margo’s 17). I was also worried about how prevalent the romance would be, but honestly it felt very believable to me.

I think Margo and Moon both grew astoundingly as part of this story. Moon especially seemed to really come into his own, but Margo has plenty of room for change in a future book. Yes, the ending caught me by surprise because there’s going to HAVE to be at least one more book. Can’t wait.

Thank you NetGalley, Caroline O’Donoghue, Holiday House/Peachtree/Pixel+Ink and Walker Books US the ARC of this novel. Ever since reading her Hidden Gifts series along with The Rachel Incident, I have become a huge fan of O’Donoghue’s writing and world-building.

Welcome to the world of Skipshock, where time has become a symbol of wealth, status, and power.

This novel follows protagonist Margo, a schoolgirl who embarks on a train from Dublin on her way to boarding school, when she meets a salesman named Moon. These two unlikely characters come together to find answers neither of them were prepared for in a race to save time (literally.)

Skipshock is another brilliant addition to O’Donoghue growing legacy as a bold voice in young contemporary sci-fi and fantasy. Known for crafting stories that don’t just entertain but interrogate, she once again delivers a tale that’s as intellectually provocative as it is emotionally resonant.

Themes of inequality, exploitation, and the commodification of human life run through the novel like a current. But what makes it exceptional is how O’Donoghue uses the fantastical to mirror real-world anxieties—inviting readers to reflect on how we spend our time, who controls it, and what it’s truly worth.

I really enjoyed this. I loved the world and the characters. I was sucked into the story the whole time. I think this is worth the read !

Skipshock... the ending of this book left me in shock and wanting to read more of Moon and Mars' adventures! Please, let there be a sequel!
The plot of this story is completely new, at least for me. The world-building (yes, worlds, plural) is masterful. The characters grow as the story progresses. I can't say that any of the characters in this story left me indifferent: Halvpas becomes more odious with each appearance, Moon and Mars are endearing characters who are very easy to identify with and love, and the many other characters that appear in this book each have a function, a specific way of relating to Moon and Mars and together they build this story.
No more need be said. Suffice it to say that I loved it and highly recommend it.
I thank the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The opinion I have expressed above is based solely on what I think and feel about this book.

I was drawn into the intricate world of time-traveling salesmen, mysterious train lines, and the stark contrasts between the cruel fast worlds and the opulent slow worlds.

The concept of time manipulation is executed beautifully. The train journeys and the stark contrast between the fast and slow worlds make for an environment that feels both magical and dangerous. It’s a universe where every second counts, and that tension is reflected in every page.

I loved how the book explores the cost of time... how it affects Margo’s youth, Moon’s desperation, and the choices they’re forced to make.

Would recommend for teens who enjoy unconventional fantasy and magic.

Rating: 4.5

Wow. Wow wow wow. This was such an incredibly inventive and impactful story. The themes of privilege being acknowledged and confronted was so good. I loved the character development throughout the book, as well as the insights we get from Moon. But overall, I just can't get over the creativity that went onto this story. Using time in this way, I'm obsessed.

This book is so wildly creative! I don't think I've read anything remotely similar to it and I'm dying for the sequel

This book has such a unique premise and I really enjoyed it! It starts out relatively confusing but the world building fills in the gaps the more you read. I loved this whimsical elements, too. I recommend this one!

First, thank you to Netgalley for the gifted e-book and the opportunity to read. The concepts in this book were fascinating and the way time and privilege are connected and discussed is timely and thought-provoking. I unfortunately ended up DNFing this at about 30%. I felt disconnected from the main characters and didn't feel like I was going to be connected to them enough to proceed. Additionally, I realized that the FMC was 16 and the MMC 19 years old, and since this is intended to be a romantasy, that felt inappropriate. While there is a time travel element here, it didn't seem like there was a way to resolve this sort of gap in a way that was going to make me less uncomfortable with it. I am choosing not to give the book a star rating on my GR review as I did not finish the galley.

Fascinating world and system!

The story begins immediately, when 17 years old Margo on her way to her new school’s boarding house in Dublin. She was on a train, and the next time she wakes up, she finds herself on a train that looks completely different and she encounters a strange man with half moon tattoos on their faces. His name is Moon, and he is a salesman in this new world who travels around the world to sell various things.

The fact that each city/continent has different hours per day is what makes the world so fascinating. And a day still a day. So you can age faster. From that, hence the skipshock.

Skipshock focuses on how Margo and Moon eventually embark on a mission to bring Margo home. Their journey has a slow pace, so after reading about 200 pages, I became bored. The twists are predictable and sometimes frustrating because they keep ignoring obvious signs. Until it’s too late.

Another thing that bothers me is the unnecessary chapter changes between Moon and Margo. Chapters titled 'Moon' use Moon's POV, but for Margo, it uses a third-person POV. So, what's the point of naming the chapter after Margo anyway?

Despite its predictable outcome, the ending was pretty good. It arouses curiosity for the next book.

I absolutely devoured Skipshock! I didn’t intend to start reading it until closer to publication, but I picked it up by mistake because I wrote the dates down wrong and couldn’t put it back down, lol! This was a CAPTIVATING story and such a unique adventure.

If you liked The Lunar Chronicles, Divergent, and hints of a Hunger Games-esque divided society, then you will love this book. The unique concept of traveling between worlds with different lengths of days and lifespans was so intriguing, and the fact that we flee with the characters through several of this worlds was such a fun concept!

Moon and Margo stole my heart. They’re thrown together by circumstances out of anyone’s control, and thrust into an underground movement to save the worlds, and I loved the character growth throughout the story for both of them.

With its richly imagined fantasy/sci-fi/mystery/adventure plot line, and a slow burn romance, Skipshock is an absolute must-read!

Many thanks to the author and publisher for the early edition of this book! All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own!

When I started reading this book I had no idea that it would consume me and all of my waking thoughts. The writing and opening chapters reminded me of Italo Calvino's "If On a Winter's Night a Traveller", and I literally could not stop reading. Margo and Moon are so well developed in such a short space, and I love them and their story. Caroline has created such an intricate and fascinating universe, with terrible violence alongside incredible tenderness and humour. I will never stop thinking about the characters and I'm counting down the days to get back to them!

To be honest I forgot about this one completely. Read maybe 3 chapters, put it down, and I guess I never picked it up again. Unfortunately never maintained my interest. That being said, it wasn’t necessarily bad. It’s just not for me. That’s all, folks

Not what I was expecting but definitely what I needed. This story was written so gorgeously. I felt every word was purposeful and added to this memorizing story. I loved the different POV so much. The slow burn romance and the blockbuster ending. This is a must read!

Skipshock is a portal fantasy world where our teenage heroine Margo Madden is off to boarding school, only to find herself on the wrong train. Sitting in her seat is Moon, a travelling salesman, who takes her under his wing and into the revolution.

This book has everything you could want from a good fantasy. The worldbuilding is detailed and the mechanics have all been worked out - seasons, cultures, customs, industry. My personal favourite is the clockwork city but there are plenty to choose from.

The plot is fast paced and immersive. I wouldn't say I couldn't put it down but I did find myself losing hours at a time. At over 300 pages, Skipshock is on the longer side but at no point did it feel tedious. The little details were woven into the narrative without the typical infodump which many fantasy authors are prone to.

The characters are memorable, flawed and feel realistic (despite their unnatural skin tones!) I have very few criticisms. Moon is your typical, brooding, male love interest but with his backstory, it comes across as human rather than cliché. I would have liked some LGBTQ+ representation somewhere but to be honest, relationships don't appear much throughout.

Sadly, the twist was predictable but mostly due to excellent foreshadowing. The ending feels purposeful, as though the whole book has built to it. A surprise would have been nice but this felt 'right'. I cannot abide an ending which feels like it has been cobbled together at the last minute out of blu-tac and a piece of string.

I can't wait for the next book. While this is labelled as Young Adult, it's YA in the way that The Hunger Games is YA. It's a book which everyone from 13 and up can enjoy with the potential for global success. It doesn't feel like it's written for teenagers. This is a solid novel which I wouldn't be surprised to see hit the big screen.

This review will be published by Pending Plays on 2nd June 2025.

Okay what the heck was that ending! I need the next book ASAP.
Really loved the character development from both Margo and Moon. The pacing was solid, and the story was interesting and fresh.

Thanks for the ARC, Netgalley <3

A really fun YA fantasy with romance (but I wouldn't really call romantasy) with a unique premise!

In Skipshock, how much time you have in a day-to work, love, live, and sleep-is dependent on the world in which you reside. Time is truly a privilege, and, as in reality, the privileged of Skipshock work to keep their hold over the less privileged. I was really impressed with the world building; the premise is not overly complex or convoluted and is very immersive and interesting. The author was also able to balance serious themes and a lovely romance without creeping out of the YA domain. One particular highlight to me was that the overarching conflict of the story was not against one evil mastermind villain but, rather, against a system built against those with little to no advantage.

The story is told in a dual POV, each with their own definitive voice. The main characters were both easy to like, flaws and all, and their growth over the course of the story was really endearing. I liked the supporting characters and felt surprisingly attached to them despite the relatively little focus on all the different cast in the story. The themes of community-building and activism felt very organic because of relationships and interactions amongst characters. It felt like most of the characters were women, which made their comradery seem all the more real to me, because women do the uniting.

The writing was very straightforward but I could clearly envision and imagine the worlds and people. The simple manner of prose let some of the poignant insights and details really sneak up on you. The narrative also wasn't bogged down by unnecessary fantasy jargon. It was very easy to get sucked into the story and lose track of time (ha). I'm usually pretty iffy about cliffhangers but I think O'Donoghue wrapped the story in a satisfying way while leaving me excited and guessing for the next book.

I don't normally read YA, but I really loved this. Skipshock is definitely a book to read quickly and then be left pondering long after. I am jazzed this a duology (really the perfect series length) and can't wait to read the next! I think anyone who has been wanting a change in pace in fantasy will enjoy this.

Thank you, Holiday House / Peachtree / Pixel+Ink and Walker Books US, for the arc!