Ordeal at Orleans continues the ambitious time-travel premise of The Jump in Time series, delivering high stakes, historical intrigue, and a fast-moving plot. As the fifth installment, this book clearly builds on events from earlier entries, and fans of the series will appreciate the continued exploration of time, consequence, and survival.

That said, this installment felt more uneven for me. While the concept remains strong and the historical setting is compelling, the pacing was hit-or-miss—some sections dragged with heavy exposition, while others moved so quickly that key moments didn’t have the emotional impact they deserved. Because of this, I found it harder to fully connect with the characters and their choices in this book.

Overall, Ordeal at Orleans is a solid continuation for established readers of the series, but it may not be the strongest entry. If you’re already invested in the Jump in Time universe, you’ll likely enjoy seeing how the story progresses, even if it doesn’t quite reach the heights of earlier books.

✨ Thank you to NetGalley and Andrew Varga for the gifted ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was completely different pace to the previous books in the series it was a lot slower paced and a lot more plot heavy in the present day. There was a time jump early on but even then the present day followed Dan back in time, it wasn’t just about fixing the time glitch, it was also Dan trying to protect himself and all those that he loves.

At this point in the series it seems impossible that Dan and Sam will be able to stop Victor and his plan for world domination, it will be interesting to see what direction the author will take this.

I have loved this series and cannot wait for book six.

I was less impressed by this one than the previous novels. I immediately grew suspicious when the author had one of the characters wearing studded leather, which immediately made me wonder about the rest of the book since the previous novels did so well with historical accuracy. The second and more jarring thing was what at first appeared to be a very hostile and aggressive attitude by the author towards Christianity. Whether this is the character of Dan or the author vicariously through him, it felt somewhat uncharacteristic. Previous novels followed a similar structure; the characters would enter and there would be various members among the locals that behaved both hostile and benevolent to them. Truthfully the only person who treated any of the characters like a person was Joan. The monks, nuns, and other characters connected to the church in particular were characterized as unrepentantly evil “self-righteous sadists.” The author acknowledged in the historical notes that some readers may “question the portrayal of monks in this book.” I do not deny that nothing in the book is historically inaccurate to what monks in the Late Middle Ages did. My complaint is that the author did not show the same fairness of showing both sides of the culture as he did in previous books. In conclusion, I thought the book fell short of its predecessors. It was frustrating to watch Dan, a character we know to be extremely intelligent, make the worst decision possible at every turn, when dealing with Victor, and the Sam/Jenna situation. Sams character seems to be devolving from simply emotionally distant to self-centered and self-victimizing. I did like very much the way Joan was presented, even if it did seem like she was the only one presented in a positive light and she was by far my favorite part of the book. It was still far better than most of the books I see coming out now and still hold hope for the future of the series. The author has set up many things that could add much to the overall worldbuilding and narrative.

Dan Renfrew and Samantha Cahill are going back in time again to fix a glitch in history. This time they find themselves in France in 1429, and they end up joining Joan of Arc and the French army heading toward Orleans to free the city from the English. But this time, Sam ends up in the most difficult position of being accused of being a witch. Now Dan must figure out the glitch and try to get Sam out of prison before the French monks burn Sam at the stake. This becomes the most stressful leap for Dan. Back in the modern day, once they return, Dan must deal with Victor's plan and how he now needs to help Victor succeed. I have read all the books in the series so far, and this one was a challenge to finish. It feels as if the story is just dragging on and no closer to a conclusion than what it was in the first novel.

This has a pretty strong concept. It's ambitious and when it works, it's great, but unfortunately it stumbles a lot.

There's no real conclusion. Instead it just stops. Some of the dialogue around the church is a bit over the top, with everyone involved coming across cartoonishly evil with no nuance.

I received this book from NetGalley for a fair review. I found it engaging, with some interesting ideas and conflicts that weren’t fully explored. There were moments that felt unrealistic, like a conversation that didn’t quite fit the context of the characters and the story.

Despite that, the book wasn’t all bad, and I enjoyed reading it enough to plan on continuing with the rest of the series. That said, the main plot didn’t progress much, and the central conflict felt largely static throughout this installment.

I wish I would have realized this was a later book in a series! I will update my review once I've read all the others! I really appreciated being able to get an ARC by netgalley, the publisher, and author

This book stands up pretty well in this series. Varga's writing has been consistent and enjoyable so far. This book covered a favourite part of history for me, and his details were good and true. Let's just hope for more of the same in the future.

⭐⭐⭐⭐✰ 4/5 — Ordeal at Orleans by Andrew Varga
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Ordeal at Orleans is a fast-paced, thrilling time-travel adventure that places readers in the heart of one of history’s most dramatic moments: the Siege of Orléans in 1429. Andrew Varga blends historical detail, suspense, and youthful energy to create a story that is both educational and entertaining.

📖 Story & Setting
The novel follows teen time travelers Dan and Sam as they are unexpectedly transported to medieval France. Thrust into the chaos of war, political intrigue, and religious tension, they must navigate dangerous terrain while trying not to alter history. The depiction of 15th-century France is immersive, from bustling towns to battlefields, giving readers a vivid sense of the stakes and atmosphere.

🔥 What Works Well
1. Engaging Adventure
The action is constant, with moments of tension and suspense that keep readers turning the pages. Dan and Sam’s quick thinking and teamwork drive the story forward, making them relatable and appealing protagonists.

2. Historical Immersion
Varga incorporates real historical events and figures, including Joan of Arc and the pivotal siege, in a way that educates without slowing the narrative. The details enrich the story, adding depth and realism to the time-travel premise.

3. Character Dynamics
The partnership between Dan and Sam is central to the story’s charm. Their camaraderie, humor, and resourcefulness provide heart to the historical action and make the challenges they face feel grounded.

🌿 Character Discussion
Dan Renfrew — The Problem-Solver
Dan is practical, quick-thinking, and naturally cautious. He balances the impulsive tendencies of his companion, Sam, and often serves as the strategist in tense situations. His sense of responsibility drives the duo to make careful decisions that minimize disruptions to history, reflecting his maturity and growing confidence.

Sam Cahill — The Courageous Optimist
Sam brings energy, curiosity, and daring to the story. Her courage and willingness to take risks often push the adventure forward, complementing Dan’s planning. While occasionally impulsive, her optimism and creativity help the pair navigate unpredictable dangers. Together, Dan and Sam form a complementary team that balances caution and action.

Joan of Arc — The Historical Heroine
Joan of Arc is portrayed with courage, determination, and an unwavering sense of mission. Her presence adds historical weight and inspiration to the story. Varga emphasizes her leadership and moral conviction, allowing readers to experience firsthand the stakes and pressures she faced during the siege. She serves as both a guiding force for the teens and a symbol of resilience and hope in a turbulent world.

🌿 Areas for Improvement
Some sections slow slightly with historical exposition, which can disrupt the pacing for readers seeking nonstop action.
Certain plot turns are predictable within the time-travel genre, making the story feel familiar in spots.

Secondary characters could have been developed more, as their motivations occasionally feel underexplored.
Despite these minor points, the novel delivers an engaging and exciting experience.

💭 Final Thoughts
Ordeal at Orleans is an exciting blend of historical drama and adventurous time travel. With its strong central characters — Dan’s intelligence, Sam’s courage, and Joan of Arc’s leadership — the story delivers both heart and action. Perfect for readers who enjoy high-stakes adventure, historical settings, and dynamic young protagonists, this book educates while keeping readers fully engaged from start to finish.

Unfortunately, the 5th installment in this series falls flat. The historical setting is one of the dullest so far, the continous jealousy/triangle has gotten old, and the action sequences were not really captivating.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This YA fantasy novel is part of a series called Jump in Time, in which teenaged Dan Renfrew and his partner Sam(antha) Cahill are time jumpers who travel into the past to fix glitches that threaten the fabric of history. I have never read any of the previous books in this series, but this book can be read as a stand alone novel.

In this installment, Dan and Sam land in 1429 France, as Joan of Arc prepares to liberate the people of Orléans from the English siege. As a big fan of Joan of Arc, I was attracted to this book for that reason. The time in medieval France was quite fascinating but too short; the rest of the novel focuses on an evil plot to take over the world, and Dan and Sam are less than willing cogs in that machine and sinister people with agendas.

Despite some flaws, the story was a page turner, and probably best suited to tweens.

Thank you to NetGalley, Imbrifex Books, and the author for providing me with an ARC of this fantasy novel, with an expected release date of August 11, 2026.