I’ve been following this "A Jump in Time" series since the beginning, and I was excited to jump back in with Dan and Sam for this fifth installment. Although the writing is a bit simple (obviously for the younger audience) the detail and descriptions often teach me a lot about history.

The historical settings are so well portrayed. Varga does his research, and you can tell. The atmosphere of medieval France under siege, the religious tensions, the chaos of war, and especially the portrayal of Joan of Arc herself felt vivid and immersive.

That said, this one felt a bit uneven compared to the earlier books. The pacing dragged in more places than one, especially with more present-day plot threads and exposition that pulled focus from the historical action, which is the beating heart of these books.

I also found the portrayal of certain religious figures (monks, church authorities) almost cartoonishly villainous which stood out against the more balanced cultural depictions in previous novels.

Overall, it’s still a solid read for anyone invested in the series, it has a likable core duo and enough action to keep turning pages. Joan of Arc was a boss. But if you’re new to the series, I wouldn't start here. Although the overall arc is not hard to pick up and follow, you would miss the character dynamics, set ups but mostly in my opinion the better books that came before.

I’ll definitely pick up Book 6 to see where things go.
I recommend for fans of YA time-travel historical fiction who don’t mind a slower build and writing aimed at 10-16 year olds.

I said this before and I’ll say it again. A Jump in Time is one of my favorite series of all time, and book five did not disappoint. 

After book four, I could not wait for book five. When I received this book, I literally stopped my current read to start this. That’s how excited I was. The way this book ends, I will do the exact same when book six comes out. 

Again, we follow Dan and Sam on a time jump to preserve history. This time, we go to 1429 France to follow Joan of Arc at the siege of Orleans. This book was different than the others for two main reasons, and I loved them both. The book started with more time in the present day before the time jump. The stakes are very high for Dan and everyone he cares about, and I love how that was explored leading into the jump. 

I have said Sam is my favorite character, and that still remains, but she is what was different in this book. She is a different Sam going through something in the jump. Her plot is not the usual hero who saves Dan. She had so much more meaning and was a different kind of hero. 

I see some of the criticism that the present-day plot was not advanced, and while that is true, the advancements that were made were subtle but interesting. Victor remains an untouchable villain that I can’t wait to see how much more evil he gets. 

Book six cannot come soon enough!

I have not read any of the previous editions of this book, but liked the premise of time travelling and visiting an historical point in time, as I do like historical fiction and fantasy.
I listened to the audiobook and am unsure whether this impacted on my overall view of the book. The main character is an adolescent and so the narrator needed to have a younger voice, but I am not sure whether this fitted the character well enough.
The pace, intonation was excellent, yet I struggled to feel engaged in the story. Accepting this was a YA book, it maybe focused on younger, less mature readers and kept things simple. Whilst I can usually just run with things I had niggles…
In this edition, the main characters, Dan & Sam, go back to medieval France to help Joan of Arc help the French fight the English and take back the French town of Orleans. Dan gets readily accepted close to Joan to detect the glitch. There were no issues with a modern person effortlessly riding a horse, or speaking French.
The depiction of Joan was really good, I thought her character and religious passion were authentic. There is an insight into how superstitious people at that time were, how witches were unfairly perceived and of the torture randomly dished out by the clergy. The approach to battles was intriguing and insightful.
I never felt much tension or fear of death or injury. It didn’t convince me. Whilst Dan and Sam are enraptured by each other, I did think Sam’s character and role in this quest was underdeveloped. Whilst ultimately a strong young women, having lived through her own traumas and able to relate to Joan, she just didn’t feature. There were no insights into her experienced locked up in the prison cell and tortured and this was a big miss for me.
The backstory with Victor and his faction was a bit twee. They were trying to be sinister and intimidating, but again I couldn’t fully buy into this. I think YA readers are usually able to enjoy a more mature and compelling discourse that this that has been presented. Whether I am missing this and there are loads of fans that consider it pitch perfect, then it maybe just me, but whilst it wasn’t a bad book, I was somewhat underwhelmed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I just love this series! Dan and Sam are such great characters and I really like their bond and how messy it is becoming in each book. I love the historical events in these books and how they are explored. I am so excited to see what comes next in this series as I do think these characters have grown so much in this book.

Ordeal at Orleans is an intense and engaging historical adventure filled with danger, courage, and the challenges of survival. Andrew Varga brings history to life through a fast-paced story that combines action, emotional stakes, and the struggles of characters caught in extraordinary circumstances.

I enjoyed the way the story captures the tension and uncertainty of its setting. The characters face difficult choices, and their determination and resilience make the journey compelling. The story does a great job of showing both the larger historical events and the personal experiences of those living through them.

The pacing keeps the story moving, with moments of action balanced by scenes that allow the characters and their motivations to develop. I appreciated the attention to detail and the way the historical elements were woven into the narrative without overwhelming the personal aspects of the story.

The audiobook narration added to the experience, bringing energy and emotion to the characters while capturing the intensity of the action. The narrator’s delivery helped create a sense of urgency during the more dramatic moments and made the story easy to become immersed in.

While some sections moved quickly and I would have enjoyed even more character development in places, the overall story was an exciting and memorable listen. Fans of historical fiction, adventure stories, and survival narratives will likely enjoy Ordeal at Orleans.

Overall, this was a thrilling audiobook with strong historical atmosphere, compelling characters, and a story that highlights bravery, perseverance, and the human spirit.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review.

Having not read or listened to any of the previous books in this series, I was able to jump into this one and quickly catch on to most of the details that happened prior. The story was very engaging and I really enjoyed it.

<b>An interesting read that had me hooked.</b>
Thank you, NetGalley, for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5⭐️ 🎧
This was the 1st book I read in this series. It was easy to understand everything going on despite not reading the other 4. I am sure that they would also be interesting reads each with their own adventure to some time and place in the past.

The plot: This book has a brilliant concept.
We follow Dan, a time-jumper trying to save his friends and in turn the world from Victor.
In this book Dan & his time-jumping partner Sam, go back to Medival France to help Joan of Arc and the French in the war. There is a time glitch, which means something in the past has changed, so they must fix it to keep the future on track. There, they face many complications.

The characters:
Dan really annoyed me. He made it sound as though Jenna was just a distraction from Sam on numerous occasions. I couldn't help but feel bad for Jenna.
There were times when the characters' thoughts and actions didn't work well with the seriousness of the situation they were in.
I felt what happened to Sam on the time jump was not addressed properly following the ordeal.

My favourite character was Joan. I loved how she was depicted. I could see her struggles as a woman in war. It is really sad knowing how she dies 2 years after this time jump to Orleans. Prior to reading this book, I did not have much knowledge of her.

The narration: This was the 1st audiobook I have listened to in a while. Mark Sanderlin did a good job narating this. One of the background characters had a Scottish accent, I loved hearing it.

A great story picking up where the spartan sacrifice left off. It is a pleasant distraction from normal life to be in the Hundred Years’ War seeing the perspective of Joan. Well worth a read.

“History is dangerous enough… now imagine having to survive it.”

With Ordeal at Orleans, Andrew Varga once again proves why the Jump in Time series is such an engaging blend of historical fiction, adventure, and time travel suspense. This fifth installment delivers everything I’ve come to enjoy about the series immersive historical detail, compelling characters, and the constant reminder that changing the past is never as simple as it seems. One of the things I appreciate most about this series is how seamlessly history is woven into the narrative. Rather than feeling like a history lesson, every setting feels alive, allowing readers to experience the tension, danger, and uncertainty alongside the characters. The stakes feel real, and every decision carries weight. Varga continues to build on the strengths of the series with fast pacing, engaging dialogue, and an adventure that kept me eager to turn the next page. Whether you’re already invested in the Jump in Time novels or discovering the series for the first time, this installment offers another exciting journey through history filled with courage, sacrifice, and unforgettable moments. What truly stands out is the heart of the story. Beneath the action and historical backdrop is a thoughtful exploration of resilience, friendship, and the consequences of our choices both in the past and the present.