Time's Raven (No.1)

Time’s Raven is the second book in the Eternity Loop series and it is just as gripping as its predecessor, Indigo Moon. Through the book we get to continue the story of Indigo and Rigel, two “virally optimised teenagers”, who must defeat Billy Raven, the time vampire, once and for all.

“What’s done can’t be undone. Don’t forget.”

Indigo Moon can shape shift, read minds and even time travel yet just like any teenager, she is in trouble for breaking the rules. In fact, she broke the number one rule - no time travel – and now she must pay the price.

Rigel Black’s father was declared dead last year, but Rigel doesn’t believe it. He knows he is still alive, and he is determined to find him.

“What’s done can’t be undone. Don’t forget.”

There is one thing, one person, that links together everything that has happened, everything that is happening and everything that will happen to Indigo and Rigel. That person is Billy Raven, the person who is held back by nothing not even time: the person that Indigo and Rigel had thought was dead. Billy Raven lurks in every shadowed corner, in every breath taken, in every thought. As Indigo and Rigel begin to unravel the complex thread of time and its events, they begin to realise that he is not alone. They realise that to defeat the infamous Billy Raven they must defeat not just him but the other person who is somehow linked to him, who is somehow also wrapped up in the confounding, twisting web of time, or should I say the eternity loop.

I loved reading the Black Spiral Trilogy by Eileen Merriman and when I saw there was a sequel series, I was very excited. Time’s Raven is fast paced, never allowing you a moment to catch your breath. Twists and turns are a feature of every page and some of them really come as a surprise. The novel is filled with themes of friendship and family to the issues of the future. Time’s Raven is written in first person and switches between the perspectives of Indigo, Rigel and Billy. I liked this as it gave you the opportunity to delve deep into each character, watching as their many layers began to peel away. However, I did find that the way the novel is often changing timelines a bit confusing, you really have to pay attention to the time stamps at the beginning of the chapters.

Overall Time’s Raven by Eileen Merriman is an action packed, suspenseful book that is sure to keep you on your toes. I would recommend it for young adult readers, especially those that enjoy science-fiction, but I think even adults would enjoy this awesome novel. It is just so good you may find time slips on you away as you read, so be careful—just as you are told many times throughout the book:
“What’s done can’t be undone. Don’t forget.”

- Amber Cayley is 16 and lives in New Plymouth